Does the CPUSA run for office and if not, then what do they do?

[NYAnarchist222]

I'm thinking about formally joining the CPUSA and I know the communists hold no political office in the US but of course still have power all over the world but do they at last try? Do they campaign, do they protest, do they actively recruit? and if they don't then what do they do? Any helpful info is appreciated comrades.

[Dagoth Ur]

They tail the democrats. Webb and his ruling cadre are social-democrats at best liberals at worst.

[Fourth Internationalist]

Don't join the CPUSA. The CPUSA is a reformist liberal party that tells its members to support the democrats and Obama as a 'lesser evil.' They officially denounce revolution, and are Stalinistic in a few ways. They're not worth supporting at all.

[G4b3n]

I also wouldn't recommend it, they preach liberalism and that is what they wish to retain.

[Fred]

They are even worse than they were 50 years ago, which was plenty bad. Then they tailed liberals. Now, they are liberals. If you want to see socialist revolution, run screaming in the other direction:).

[RedBen]

maybe some of you have more experience with them than i do, but they rally, protest, petition, organize... they do alot more than "tailing" imo. they just had a marxist school here in chicago. if you are not involved in the political system, you can't very well complain if you sit around and do nothing(i don't assume you all are not active). do something, anything... just don't attack leftist groups who aren't up to your expectations. we all have our parts to play

[adipocere]

It's very fashionable to bash CPUSA here, it's like a Pavlovian reaction. I really don't understand it. Squabbling factionalism is one of the things the far left excels at - and you can see how far it getting us.

You should contact them. It's not open membership, they just sort of interview you on the phone, weed out nuts, set you up with your local club and contacts and see what you're interested in doing. I would imagine that how active it is depends on the area. Nothing much goes on in my area - but they still make a lot of contact (with you) and are active as an organization, though you're not required to be active. Honestly, CPUSA is a bit secretive - justifiable paranoia I suppose. Anyway, you should speak with them and see what they have to say. :grin:

[Fourth Internationalist]

http://www.cpusa.org/faq/

Why does the Communist Party oppose violence?

Communists believe that social change can only be accomplished through the united action of mass movements which express the majority will of the people. Peaceful methods of change are not only the right thing to do, they are the most effective way to unite and mobilize the greatest majorities.

Violence, on the other hand, is a tool of the big corporations and the governments they control. To preserve their power, they use violence against workers' and people's movements.

In contrast, Communists seek to change society peacefully. We work to expand every democratic and electoral avenue as part of our fight for working class political and economic power.

Our party believes that it is possible to make fundamental transformations using the electoral process, the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights.

[rylasasin]

They stick their heads up their asses, and pretend like they're actually doing anything of value.

Oh, and they tell you to vote democrat, do liberal stuff, and all that.

[Consistent.Surprise]

http://www.cpusa.org/faq/

Why does the Communist Party oppose violence?

Communists believe that social change can only be accomplished through the united action of mass movements which express the majority will of the people. Peaceful methods of change are not only the right thing to do, they are the most effective way to unite and mobilize the greatest majorities.

Violence, on the other hand, is a tool of the big corporations and the governments they control. To preserve their power, they use violence against workers' and people's movements.

In contrast, Communists seek to change society peacefully. We work to expand every democratic and electoral avenue as part of our fight for working class political and economic power.

Our party believes that it is possible to make fundamental transformations using the electoral process, the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights.

You missed that last, very important, paragraph:

"Our party believes that it is possible to make fundamental transformations using the electoral process, the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights."

[Fourth Internationalist]

You missed that last, very important, paragraph:

"Our party believes that it is possible to make fundamental transformations using the electoral process, the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights."

Exactly. I was planning on bolding that last sentence because it shows the clearly reformist nature of the CPUSA. Thank you for pointing it out so everyone can see.

[Comrade Chernov]

CPUSA isn't Communist whatsoever. Utopianist, yes, but Liberal Utopianist.

[RedBen]

http://www.cpusa.org/faq/

"Communists believe that social change can only be accomplished through the united action of mass movements which express the majority will of the people. Peaceful methods of change are not only the right thing to do, they are the most effective way to unite and mobilize the greatest majorities."
i suppose the idea of mass will is anti communist? i also suppose being anti violent did not work for ghandi? maybe you all are some guerrilla fighters waging class war against the bourgeoisie?

"Violence, on the other hand, is a tool of the big corporations and the governments they control. To preserve their power, they use violence against workers' and people's movements."
i suppose they don't?

"In contrast, Communists seek to change society peacefully. We work to expand every democratic and electoral avenue as part of our fight for working class political and economic power."
the "peaceful" thing is up for debate but how is democracy(will of most) anti left? what groups do you belong to that advocate what is tantamount to terrorism nowadays? i guess you all engage in economic sabotage, bourgeois assassination and the like? theory and feel good hypotheticals make me sick. what do YOU do to make a difference? do you volunteer? do you participate in charity events? is it not "revolutionary" enough for you? i am sick of hearing how action is not revolutionary... what is then?

[BIXX]

"Communists believe that social change can only be accomplished through the united action of mass movements which express the majority will of the people. Peaceful methods of change are not only the right thing to do, they are the most effective way to unite and mobilize the greatest majorities."
i suppose the idea of mass will is anti communist? i also suppose being anti violent did not work for ghandi? maybe you all are some guerrilla fighters waging class war against the bourgeoisie?

What about Bhagat Singh?

And no, we don't need to be to see that the CP isn't revolutionary, as they'd support Obama... You know, the guy who kills kids with drones?


"Violence, on the other hand, is a tool of the big corporations and the governments they control. To preserve their power, they use violence against workers' and people's movements."
i suppose they don't?

We never said that, however, why can't we?


"In contrast, Communists seek to change society peacefully. We work to expand every democratic and electoral avenue as part of our fight for working class political and economic power."
the "peaceful" thing is up for debate but how is democracy(will of most) anti left? what groups do you belong to that advocate what is tantamount to terrorism nowadays? i guess you all engage in economic sabotage, bourgeois assassination and the like? theory and feel good hypotheticals make me sick. what do YOU do to make a difference? do you volunteer? do you participate in charity events? is it not "revolutionary" enough for you? i am sick of hearing how action is not revolutionary... what is then?

Alright, for one, I do volunteer work when I can. Doesn't mean it's revolutionary.

For two, the CPUSA is not revolutionary as it supports Obama, who is pretty reactionary.

Go vote democrat and tell me how revolutionary it is later. I don't see the CPUSA as any sort of revolutionary force.

[RedBen]

"we don't need to be to see that the CP isn't revolutionary, as they'd support Obama... You know, the guy who kills kids with drones?"
personally not an obama fan, i admit i was a dem before i read marx(pre cpusa days).

"We never said that, however, why can't we?"
the sate is violent. not sure we disagree.

"Alright, for one, I do volunteer work when I can. Doesn't mean it's revolutionary."
what is "revolutionary" by definition in your opinion?(i personally give you props for volunteering, to ME trying to make a difference is rev)

"For two, the CPUSA is not revolutionary as it supports Obama, who is pretty reactionary."
not all do but i will give you that, i PERSONALLY am not a defeatist nor an obama fan.

"Go vote democrat and tell me how revolutionary it is later. I don't see the CPUSA as any sort of revolutionary force."
here is where i may break from rank and file, i am NOT a democrat, i support any measures to improve living conditions of people of the workin class, precarian or otherwise oppressed people... i don't believe in dems but i support any step(to me) in the (right) direction.

[BIXX]

personally not an obama fan, i admit i was a dem before i read marx(pre cpusa days).

No worries, I was a hardcore dem before I became an anarchist.


the sate is violent. not sure we disagree.

The problem is that the CPUSA was saying we shouldn't be violent because the state and bourgeoisie are. But that's a ridiculous claim.


what is "revolutionary" by definition in your opinion?(i personally give you props for volunteering, to ME trying to make a difference is rev)

I would say anything that breaks down the state or bourgeoisie power while at the same time aiding in the complete liberation of humanity.


not all do but i will give you that, i PERSONALLY am not a defeatist nor an obama fan.

I'm sorry, how did defeatism get into this?

The CPUSA proper tells people to vote for the democrats, I would say that's a basis to oppose the CPUSA.


here is where i may break from rank and file, i am NOT a democrat, i support any measures to improve living conditions of people of the workin class, precarian or otherwise oppressed people... i don't believe in dems but i support any step(to me) in the (right) direction.

While I agree to an extent (meaning ill take what concessions I can get from the state and the bourgeoisie) it will not stop me from actively opposing them whenever I get the chance. The easier they make my life, the easier it will be for me to be on the offensive, which, while sometimes will be nonviolent (education, some protests, etc...) most of the time it will be violent when I get the chance (physical resistance, even minor acts, can aid in your own liberation and joy).



Also you quote ugly :laugh:

I kid I kid :)

[RedBen]

"The problem is that the CPUSA was saying we shouldn't be violent because the state and bourgeoisie are. But that's a ridiculous claim."
there is a time and place for everything, the first resort should not be violence(again i accept this is all my opinion). i can understand a monitored movement calling for peace.

"I would say anything that breaks down the state or bourgeoisie power while at the same time aiding in the complete liberation of humanity."
i agree whole heartedly


"I'm sorry, how did defeatism get into this?"
what i mean by defeatism(not cause anyone brought it up) is to break down and accept the status quo.

"The CPUSA proper tells people to vote for the democrats, I would say that's a basis to oppose the CPUSA."
i won't rationalize or justify this. i don't want more of the same myself.



"While I agree to an extent (meaning ill take what concessions I can get from the state and the bourgeoisie) it will not stop me from actively opposing them whenever I get the chance. The easier they make my life, the easier it will be for me to be on the offensive, which, while sometimes will be nonviolent (education, some protests, etc...) most of the time it will be violent when I get the chance (physical resistance, even minor acts, can aid in your own liberation and joy)."
when minor resistance is "violent" much change is needed imo. keep the faith, i support anarchists as well as reds. everyone has their contribution. you have important questions, i look forward to more of your input.

"Also you quote ugly :laugh:"
:crying:

[Popular Front of Judea]

I found this on the CPUSA website, posted May of this year. Tells you what you need to know about its demographics:

Party veterans check out social media organizing

I had the pleasure of leading a workshop recently on some of the basics of using Facebook for the purpose of introducing it to people who are hesitant to get into social media, or who find the array of possibilities on the site somewhat intimidating at the Communist Party's national conference in New York City, April 27-28. Conference co-chair Rossana Cambron had suggested this workshop as a topic for me to lead, and it's a subject that has been much in my mind. I was also inspired by a story of high school students in my area who volunteer to help older newcomers to digital technology. While many people are early adopters of the digital age and its products, sometimes people can feel left behind by the steep learning curve of the various aspects of communication via computer.

Over a dozen members who expressed keen interest in participating on Facebook with other members who have already taken the plunge attended the workshop. Subjects ranged over the basics of signing up and getting an account, protecting your identity from unwanted attention from strangers on Facebook to posting and sharing links and photos on newsfeeds and timelines. We also discussed how to share content from outside of Facebook, copying and posting URLs, and other features that make being a Facebook member worthwhile for online activism.

http://www.cpusa.org/party-veterans-check-out-social-media-organizing/

[Per Levy]

I'm thinking about formally joining the CPUSA and I know the communists hold no political office in the US but of course still have power all over the world but do they at last try? Do they campaign, do they protest, do they actively recruit? and if they don't then what do they do? Any helpful info is appreciated comrades.

why does a anarchist want to join a "communist" party anyway? the cpusa is a joke, they are the left wing of the democrats in the end.

[Le Socialiste]

To be sure, the Communist Party played an important role in building the anti-racist, pro-labor movements of its heyday in the 1930s and 40s (their leading roles in the UAW victories in Flint, as well as the Scottsboro Boys trial comes to mind), yet even then it was subject to the nearly schizophrenic twists and turns of the Comintern - "social fascism," anyone? - and the ideological weight of Stalinism.

Today it barely resembles even the palest of shades of its older self which, let's be honest, wasn't all that promising to begin with - despite it's part in the aforementioned struggles. It's close adherence to the Democratic Party's own views and policies and general liberal orientation hardly make it a vehicle for substantive organizing, much less revolutionary politics.

I'd recommend you stay as far away as you possibly can, there are plenty of other radical organizations you could - and should - consider.

[Vostok17]

Karl Marx supported the efforts of capitalist President Abraham Lincoln in the American Civil War. So did Engels. They published articles to support their position in U.S. newspapers. They helped rally the British workers in opposition to recognition of the Confederate government. They were no less revolutionary for taking that stance at a critical time in human history. Marx & Engels knew that something larger was at stake on the world stage.

It can be easily agreed that the CPUSA is a mere shadow of the party that helped advance unions and support civil rights. The party is, probably, not the same as the one that ran candidates for national offices - GUS HALL & ANGELA DAVIS - a generation ago. As long as one considers the defined role of the CPUSA as it is before joining, it may be the level of political activity that person desires and can make worthwhile contributions to the larger cause.

[Anglo-Saxon Philistine]

Karl Marx supported the efforts of capitalist President Abraham Lincoln in the American Civil War. So did Engels. They published articles to support their position in U.S. newspapers. They helped rally the British workers in opposition to recognition of the Confederate government. They were no less revolutionary for taking that stance at a critical time in human history. Marx & Engels knew that something larger was at stake on the world stage.

Lincoln, through no fault of his own, led the struggle to extend capitalism into a slaveowning region ruled by large landowners. Obama leads to struggle to... plunder regions impoverished by uneven development, supporting the landlords, the reactionary bourgeoisie and similar groups in such states. The comparison is silly.

[Vostok17]

Marx & Engels were willing to take a controversial stand in support of a capitalist president. They knew there would be criticism and have been questioned ever since.

The point is make a decision. Joining an existing organization is a difficult choice for some. But, it is doing something. Fence-sitting has the left paralyzed.

[BIXX]

Marx & Engels were willing to take a controversial stand in support of a capitalist president. They knew there would be criticism and have been questioned ever since.

The point is make a decision. Joining an existing organization is a difficult choice for some. But, it is doing something. Fence-sitting has the left paralyzed.

There's still a difference between taking action and joining an organization that is reformist at best, liberal at worst.

[SonofRage]

I'm thinking about formally joining the CPUSA...

Why?


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

[Fourth Internationalist]

i suppose the idea of mass will is anti communist? Point out where I said that. Also, mass will is not the only thing that matters. It must also be for socialism. Mass will for fascism, for example, is something I would not support (I don't think that'll happen however).


i also suppose being anti violent did not work for ghandi? It certainly didn't bring out proletarian rule. Also, the level of pacifism attributed to India's independence is highly down-played.


maybe you all are some guerrilla fighters waging class war against the bourgeoisie?I don't understand the point here. Do you believe proletarian revolution is a small guerrilla group fighting against the state? It is the entire class, a small clique cannot do that.


i suppose they don't? They do. I don't see your point. Anyways, the CPUSA decribes violence, all violence, as the tools of the bourgeoisie. If you have a proletarian revolution, violence will be inevitable as a result of the bourgeoisie's reaction, and it will be from the proletariat. Communists don't want violence, but we know all too well that the bourgeoisie will resist and resist violently.


the "peaceful" thing is up for debate but how is democracy(will of most) anti left?
Democracy is not anti-left. Liberal 'democracy' however, is not left but liberal. It can be used for some purposes, but not as a replacement for proletarian revolution. Even now, if we took the "will of most" and implemented it, we'd have a liberal capitalist system.


what groups do you belong to that advocate what is tantamount to terrorism nowadays? But I don't support terrorism, so I don't belong to any groups that advocate it.


i guess you all engage in economic sabotage, bourgeois assassination and the like? No. Revolutionary activity is only revolutionary in a revolutionary period. Mostly peaceful methods are fine in a non-revolutionary period. However, when it becomes the fundamental way to change society, as it is to the CPUSA, that is a whole different subject. I still do peaceful activity while recognising that my activity is insufficient for bringing about socialism. The CPUSA on the other hand sees what they do and believe it will bring about socialism if only they could get enough votes to be in the government.


theory and feel good hypotheticals make me sick. Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement. - Vladimir Lenin


what do YOU do to make a difference? do you volunteer? do you participate in charity events?
Yeah, I do.


is it not "revolutionary" enough for you? You're right, they're not revolutionary activities. But I still do them.


i am sick of hearing how action is not revolutionary... what is then?I never said action isn't revolutionary. My point against the CPUSA is that they believe that fundamental ie socialist change can be brought about by getting them into congress and electing them. If you think that would work, and you want to continue to defend that, then you don't belong on RevLeft (short for Revolutionary Left). You would also be going against the fundamentals of Marxism, against Marx, Engels, Luxemburg, Lenin, Trotsky, etc.

[RedBen]

theory and feel good hypotheticals make me sick.
Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement. - Vladimir Lenin

theory without practice is masturbation. -Me

i am sick of hearing how action is not revolutionary... what is then?
I never said action isn't revolutionary. My point against the CPUSA is that they believe that fundamental ie socialist change can be brought about by getting them into congress and electing them. If you think that would work, and you want to continue to defend that, then you don't belong on RevLeft (short for Revolutionary Left). You would also be going against the fundamentals of Marxism, against Marx, Engels, Luxemburg, Lenin, Trotsky, etc.

who said I want to get them into congress? i don't put them on any sort of pedestal but i support alot of things they do, which are good that i already laid out before. i never said they were perfect, i was answering the op's questions about actions they take, and they do take action. btw thank you for telling me i don't understand marx. never knew that, guess i don't belong here.:rolleyes:

[Fourth Internationalist]

theory without practice is masturbation. -MeNo one here is arguing against practice. However, I recognise the reformist nature of the CPUSA that you are so into defending from such accusations.

who said I want to get them into congress? No one, because I said they want to get themselves into congress.
i don't put them on any sort of pedestal but i support alot of things they do, which are good that i already laid out before. Nearly any organisation that is at least centre-left has done something that could be labelled as at least "good." It, however, doesn't warrant special support, and it must be recognised that said organisations in the long run are harmful.
i never said they were perfect, I never said you said they were perfect.
i was answering the op's questions about actions they take, No, you replied to every sentence of their anti-revolutionary FAQ question of "Why does the Communist Party oppose violence?" and attempted to defend every single sentence of theirs.
and they do take action. Yes, so do the democrats, the greens, and the social democrats.
btw thank you for telling me i don't understand marx. never knew that, guess i don't belong here.I never said you don't understand Marx because I don't know you at all. I said that if you ("you" being anyone reading this) agree with the CPUSA on their beliefs on electoralism, the Bill of Rights, etc., then you are going against the fundamental aspects of Marxism.

[adipocere]

It is completely unhelpful and counterrevolutionary to discourage through ridicule people who consider joining CPUSA, which is an entirely legitimate leftist organization.

isn't it more useful to say; "I don't agree with CPUSA for these reasons, but I think it's great that you aren't a right wing fascist so instead of ridiculing the CPUSA, I want to show some solidarity and encourage you to be active and participate where you can. Maybe you would also be interested in these groups...."

[RedBen]

It is completely unhelpful and counterrevolutionary to discourage through ridicule people who consider joining CPUSA, which is an entirely legitimate leftist organization.

isn't it more useful to say; "I don't agree with CPUSA for these reasons, but I think it's great that you aren't a right wing fascist so instead of ridiculing the CPUSA, I want to show some solidarity and encourage you to be active and participate where you can. Maybe you would also be interested in these groups...."
it is counter revolutionary to try to disenfranchise people from participating in left struggles. as for the bold portion "but then my preferred group may not potentially get 1 more member!!! gasp! but we're so much more revolutionary than them!!!!!" the left is too divided. you want to be isolationists in your own tendencies, your choice. i support anything/measure/force/movement ect, that enhances the lives, conditions or experience of poor and working people. we need to stop trying to cut eachother's throats.

[Popular Front of Judea]

So @adipocere what is it like to be a young Communist? Are you in the YCL?

[adipocere]

So @adipocere what is it like to be a young Communist? Are you in the YCL?

I'm sorry I don't understand - define young. No, I am not in the YCL.

[Per Levy]

It is completely unhelpful and counterrevolutionary to discourage through ridicule people who consider joining CPUSA, which is an entirely legitimate leftist organization.

to support the left wing of capital is counterrevolutionary, the cpusa is said left wing of capital.


i support anything/measure/force/movement ect, that enhances the lives, conditions or experience of poor and working people.

that is quite vague, anyway the cpusa wont enhace the "lives, conditions or experience of poor and working people" since they support the democrats.also they couldnt since they dont have any power to do anything.

[RedBen]

they couldnt since they dont have any power to do anything.
who on the left(in the US) does? wanna tell me what organization you know of that is ultra radical and has any clout or power? i'm dying to know

[Popular Front of Judea]

In the case of the CPUSA that would be under 60. Webb is like 68 right -- and was the young reformist that came in after Gus Hall.

So you were 11 when the Soviet Union went out of business. (My displayed birthdate is that day.) What attracted you to the Party?


I'm sorry I don't understand - define young. No, I am not in the YCL.

[Per Levy]

who on the left(in the US) does? wanna tell me what organization you know of that is ultra radical and has any clout or power? i'm dying to know

none of course, so why are you supportive of the cpusa who have neither the will nor the power help anyone?

[RedBen]

none of course, so why are you supportive of the cpusa who have neither the will nor the power help anyone?
we must have differences of opinion on what help is. if petitions, raising awareness(i believe here they offer free tutoring), voting, letters to congress, promoting unions heavily, shows of solidarity and standing against right to work laws, as well as standing by lgbt isn't helping anyone, then i suppose the don't. if they didn't have the will to make a difference i guess they all gather just have a club huh?

[RedBen]

none of course, so why are you supportive of the cpusa who have neither the will nor the power help anyone?

i am supportive of the whole left

[SonofRage]

I agree that we shouldn't ridicule someone who is asking for advice about a party/organization. I do think it's right however to give political opinions on the merits of the group.

That's why my response was simply the question "Why?"

This thread is also useful I think: http://www.revleft.com/vb/cpusa-struggle-within-t179154/index.html?t=179154

[Fourth Internationalist]

It is completely unhelpful and counterrevolutionary to discourage through ridicule people who consider joining CPUSA, which is an entirely legitimate leftist organization.

Leftist but reformist.

isn't it more useful to say; "I don't agree with CPUSA for these reasons, but I think it's great that you aren't a right wing fascist so instead of ridiculing the CPUSA, I want to show some solidarity and encourage you to be active and participate where you can. Maybe you would also be interested in these groups...."

Communists should have higher standards than just not fascist.

[adipocere]

In the case of the CPUSA that would be under 60. Webb is like 68 right -- and was the young reformist that came in after Gus Hall.

So you were 11 when the Soviet Union went out of business. (My displayed birthdate is that day.) What attracted you to the Party?

Fair enough. Deductive reasoning attracted me to CPUSA. The political left in the US is weak, marginalized, disenfranchised and divided by wedge issues to the point of being confused, incoherent and ineffective. CPUSA has a well defined and accessible program and has been basically consistent for almost 100 years. As far as it's non-violent stance, a party platform that advocates armed struggle is not realistic or appropriate at this point in the United States. I also secretly enjoy the look of discomfort when people see Party literature laying around.

[Binh]

I'm thinking about formally joining the CPUSA and I know the communists hold no political office in the US but of course still have power all over the world but do they at last try? Do they campaign, do they protest, do they actively recruit? and if they don't then what do they do? Any helpful info is appreciated comrades.

I don't think they run for office.

[Red_Banner]

The "CPUSA" is a capitalist lapdog.