Well hello there, Comrades!

[Teddyjer Ilyich Otterman]

Hey, Teddyjer here. Revolutionary Communist, getting more revolutionary as the years go buy. Former Democratic Socialist, moved up the gamut through CPUSA, etc. I've finally come to my senses and I'm currently in a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist place politically. I'm constantly studying and researching, though, and fine-tuning my beliefs, convictions, behaviours, etc. I've joined this site primarily to learn...I personally believe that my Communist education won't be complete until I've returned to dust. :) Anyhoo...I live in the western 'burbs of Chicago, prime Capitalist real estate, much to my chagrin. Although Chicago itself is bursting with opportunities for political action, the suburbs are somewhat lacking, and I'd like to find others who'd like to change that. Anyone in the area, or even out of the area, drop me a line and say Hi.

In Solidarity,
TJ

[Teddyjer Ilyich Otterman]

Okay, I wanted to add something, if anyone is reading this LOL. I'm at a loss for finding a party that is in line with my beliefs. Obviously, CPUSA is no longer in the running. RCP seems like a cult of personality, and I'm not crazy about the fact they used to be anti-gay, no matter what their reasoning. The socialists and ISO are too far to the right of me, and I'm not really into Trotsky. The PSL looks really good, but I think that I'm too Maoist and, as far as my studies to date have shown me, Hoxhaist for them to have me. I see many people on here who seem to have beliefs similar to mine. What parties are you with? I don't want to sacrifice my principles, but being a "man without a country" is no good either.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

TJ

[Positivist]

Welcome to the site! There is a M-L-M User group on this site that could help to answer some of your questions.

[Teddyjer Ilyich Otterman]

Thanks...I'm a little worried that whatever I say on here will be slammed by someone who knows more (or thinks they do) than me, and I don't feel like that would be productive in my Communist education. Now I know there are nice people on here.

[Robespierres Neck]

Welcome to the site. With my experiences of the PSL, they're pretty lenient and not all that hardline with their party line (which claims to be Marxist-Leninist). I've met people from all different tendencies at their study groups/meetings. I'm sure you wouldn't be rejected for being a Maoist, but it's all about how comfortable you feel to join them.

[Ilyich]

Okay, I wanted to add something, if anyone is reading this LOL. I'm at a loss for finding a party that is in line with my beliefs. Obviously, CPUSA is no longer in the running. RCP seems like a cult of personality, and I'm not crazy about the fact they used to be anti-gay, no matter what their reasoning. The socialists and ISO are too far to the right of me, and I'm not really into Trotsky. The PSL looks really good, but I think that I'm too Maoist and, as far as my studies to date have shown me, Hoxhaist for them to have me. I see many people on here who seem to have beliefs similar to mine. What parties are you with? I don't want to sacrifice my principles, but being a "man without a country" is no good either.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

TJ

As far as I know, there are two Hoxhaist organizations in the United States: the USMLO (http://www.usmlo.org/) and the APL (http://americanpartyoflabor.org/). There could be more; I don't know. The APL has some excellent articles. The USMLO is subpar. However, I don't know if either of these organizations are active in Illinois. If you like the RCP but not its old homophobic position or its Avakianism, may I suggest the Kasama Project (http://kasamaproject.org/). I'm not sure if its a physical organization or just a website; Wikipedia calls it a 'network.' They have some excellent articles and I think they're based out of Chicago. The PSL, from what I've heard is a Leninist organization with many different tendencies within its ranks. I believe they have Maoists, Hoxhaists even.

Oh, and welcome!

[RedHammer]

Welcome, komrad!

Even if you can't find a particular political party that represents your beliefs exactly, don't stress. I think the Left is too fractured anyway. When push comes to shove, the only party that matters is the working class:thumbup:

I look forward to your contributions, and I'm happy to see more people joining.

[Teddyjer Ilyich Otterman]

Well thank you all. I'm probably being overly-self-deprecating about my Marxist education thus far, but I just don't want to talk out my ass about stuff I don't know. I'm really here to ask questions, and I'm finding answers already, and some really good resources/documents/literature to study. I'm looking forward to being on here, and I think that I'll never be done tweaking my beliefs, and that's a fine thing. Nothing like a little "self criticism" a-la-Mao LOL.

[Prometeo liberado]

Oh my, where do I start? Well lets just jump in here now! PSL? You can be a card carrying member of the Hammerskin Nation in that organization so long as you pay monthly dues and pretend to play court politics with the appointed leaders. RCP has the Cult of One. PSL, the cult of a few. I really dig the APL but they have yet to pull off the kind of consistent street work that the PSL does. So how 'bout you start your own revolution and cut out these middlemen.;)
Welcome Comrade!

[Mr. Natural]

Welcome, Teddyjer Ilyich Otterman! That political party you are looking for has yet to be created, and your open, inquiring mind will be an asset in creating it.

I detest hot polemics and putdowns, too. I'm appreciate comrades who engage in learning and debate for the purpose of working out a revolutionary response to capitalism's capture of the human species.

My red-green best.

[Teddyjer Ilyich Otterman]

I've been thinking about what you've all said, and it's really taken my journey in a new dimension. I've been so busy trying to find a party that I could "put up with", when what matters is ACTION. I'm a natural born teacher, so I'm trying to share my knowledge as I gain it. It doesn't matter if my "Political Organization" box stays empty forever...if I can bring people to the Revolution, and bring the Revolution to fruition, and maybe do my little part in the glorious future of humanity...well, that's all that matters, really.

TIO