How many communists in the USA?

[JohnTheMarxist]

I am a member of the Communist Party USA and the party has approximately 2,500 members and is quickly growing. In my state of Michigan, there are 4 new locals being started and the state party has doubled in size. My guess is that by years end th eparty will be closer to 3,000 members. I also work with the Socialist Party USA and they have about 1,200 members. The Democratic Socialists of America have 5,500 members. I was wondering if anyone knows how many members The Workers World Party, Revolutionary Communist Party, and Socialist Workers Party have? I am not intereste din name calling about who is a reformer and who is a stalinist and all that. I have worked with people form many fo these parties and in the end they all want the same system- socialism. They all disagree however, on how it should be run and how we get there. So anyhow, any info on number of members in any other US socilaist/communist groups?

[PRC-UTE]

The socialist party-USA seems to be growing but the largest number of revolutionary socialists I run into seem to wobblies and anarchists.

The NUP just recently folded unfortunatley.

[Weidt]

I am a member of the Socialist Party of Michigan. The Socialist Party USA has closer to 1,400 members I would estimate. We held a referendum in the Spring and 1,231 members were elegitable to vote, anyone a member for at least 3 or 6 months, so ya have everyone recruited this year to add on. A minor point though.

Where in Michigan are you? I'm in Lapeer, which is near Flint. You mention working with the SPUSA... in Michigan? We met with Joel Wendland as the CP rep about our united left front proposal, and he basically said the CP wouldn't be interested in anything electoral (since CP supports Democrats), and generally ruled out any cooperative work. Like we approached him about CP co-organizing May Day in Detroit and he said no.

[redstar2000]

In a country of nearly 300,000,000, the number of "communists" is too small to measure.

In fact, the number of bourgeois liberals (perhaps 6,000,000) barely registers.

The United States is a very reactionary country.

:redstar2000:

The Redstar2000 Papers (http://www.redstar2000papers.fightcapitalism.net)
A site about communist ideas

[Subversive Pessimist]

It seems that we have more members in the communist party where I live then in the United States, and we are a country consisting of 4,5 million people, and this is a capitalist country. That says a lot about the US.

[refuse_resist]

Originally posted by [email protected] 20 2004, 03:18 PM
The United States is a very reactionary country.

:redstar2000:

The Redstar2000 Papers (http://www.redstar2000papers.fightcapitalism.net)
A site about communist ideas
Indeed it is.

[Postteen]

Isn't the communist party in the USA illegal?

[antieverything]

No way...why would it be, they don't do anything?

There have been periods where it has been "problematic" to be a member of the CP though I don't know if it has ever been actually illegal.

[Guerrilla22]

Originally posted by [email protected] 20 2004, 12:11 AM
I am a member of the Communist Party USA and the party has approximately 2,500 members and is quickly growing. In my state of Michigan, there are 4 new locals being started and the state party has doubled in size. My guess is that by years end th eparty will be closer to 3,000 members. I also work with the Socialist Party USA and they have about 1,200 members. The Democratic Socialists of America have 5,500 members. I was wondering if anyone knows how many members The Workers World Party, Revolutionary Communist Party, and Socialist Workers Party have? I am not intereste din name calling about who is a reformer and who is a stalinist and all that. I have worked with people form many fo these parties and in the end they all want the same system- socialism. They all disagree however, on how it should be run and how we get there. So anyhow, any info on number of members in any other US socilaist/communist groups?
So you're from Michigan also. I was involved with the CPUSa for a while, they have a headquarters in Detroit, but I kind of got disinterested in them. Do you know how active they are currently? When I was with them they really didn't do much other than print up newspapers.

[gaf]

without culture i would be amaze they know what communisme is(behalve all books they read)........but ya no offence . you need a revolution. may be? and then you will put your arrogance away.may be

[Xvall]

I'd have joined the CPUSA, but all they seem to be doing is backing the Democratic Party, so I have very little respect for them. Very little of what I actually read on their website revolves around major economic issues or political reformation at all.

[Severian]

Originally posted by [email protected] 19 2004, 06:11 PM
I am a member of the Communist Party USA and the party has approximately 2,500 members and is quickly growing. In my state of Michigan, there are 4 new locals being started and the state party has doubled in size. My guess is that by years end th eparty will be closer to 3,000 members. I also work with the Socialist Party USA and they have about 1,200 members. The Democratic Socialists of America have 5,500 members. I was wondering if anyone knows how many members The Workers World Party, Revolutionary Communist Party, and Socialist Workers Party have?
The SWP's membership is somewhere in the low 3 figures. It's never had more than 1500 members, even at the height of the late 60s-early 70s radicalization.

This is apples and oranges, of course, as the SWP's a party of professional revolutionaries, as opposed to the CPUSA, which you can "join" by filling out a form on their website. The Democratic Socialists of America, to an even greater degree, is more of a mailing list than an organization.

[Xvall]

Does the Socialist Party of the United States back the Democratic Party, and is there any problem with belonging to both a Socialist Party and a Communist Party.

[Red Heretic]

The CPUSA is a bourgeois liberal party. It in no aspect even resembles a communist party...

[Conghaileach]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10 2004, 07:32 AM
This is apples and oranges, of course, as the SWP's a party of professional revolutionaries
That doesn't sound like a bad profession. How much do members get paid?

[Severian]

Originally posted by [email protected] 11 2004, 01:32 PM
That doesn't sound like a bad profession. How much do members get paid?
Heh. They mostly do other things for a living, of course. But revolutionary activity is a higher priority; usually determines what jobs one seeks among other things.

As contrasted to an occasional activist, or someone who fills out a web or mail-in form and is counted as a member of the CPUSA.

The concept of "professional revolutionary" is not a new one - it goes back to Lenin's "What is to be Done" - so I didn't take the time to define it. Sorry for using a term that's unfamiliar to you.

[refuse_resist]

Originally posted by [email protected] 11 2004, 05:25 PM
The CPUSA is a bourgeois liberal party. It in no aspect even resembles a communist party...
Haha, so true.

On there website they were talking about how there are "big differencese" between Bush and Kerry. Sure sounds like they support the bourgeoisie to me.

I'm not quite sure about the numbers there are in all the parties, especially with new ones appearing here and there lately.

The RCP operates in secrecy. Plus a lot of the members go by aliases. They seem to be pretty big from what I hear, at least around here they are.

[Red Heretic]

Originally posted by [email protected] 11 2004, 07:32 PM
That doesn't sound like a bad profession. How much do members get paid?
I'm not kidding! Their entire party consists of the manufacture of "cool" CPUSA t-shirts, a web sign up form, and the ass kissing of John Kerry. They probably make loads of money off their ridiculously stupid t-shirts and bumper stickers (being the largest "communist" party in the USA).

[cubist]

the US is blindly reactionary, led like lambs by the $ driven few,

its a shame, but hey 1200 is better than none,

[guerillablack]

Do you get added to fbi watch list for being commie?

[Rage Against the Right]

no you don't, i'm about 99% sure of that

[encephalon]

I'm willing to bed you get added to some kind of watch list just for posting on this forum. I know that another website I used to frequent (which has been quietly shut down by the government) had tons of hits from CIA addresses. They didn't even bother masking their ip.

I was a member of the CPUSA for a short time, but soon came to the same conclusion: they shouldn't even claim to be a communist party any longer. Granted, in order to stay legal they do have to play it safe, since the soviet records showed illegal funding of the party.. but yes, they seem to do nothing but back the democratic party (as if one exists), and their newspaper covers little more than minority issues, disregarding the class issue as a whole.

I'm willing to bet they don't make much money off of the CPUSA merchandise, though.

I'm also willing to bet that the number of self-ascribed communists are, as a whole, growing. I'm guessing the biggest obstacle to actually knowing how large a movement it actually is concerns factionalization and lack of organization as a whole. Still, right now I'm guessing it's a low number in the US. Plus, a lot of people will say they are marxists instead of communists.

[Commie Rat]

there was a website about arachists it was something like www.anarchistfreedom.org or some thing like that that i used to visit but it got shut down by the fbi [im in australia so could they put me ona lsit?]

[encephalon]

http://www.raisethefist.com was the one I was speaking of directly, although I'm positive anarchist sites are shut down on a regular basis. In the case of raise the fist, the owner of the site (Sherman Austin) was thrown in prison for someone else posting bomb-related material on the server.

[Xvall]

Originally posted by [email protected] 15 2005, 03:12 AM
Do you get added to fbi watch list for being commie?
The FBI will keep an eye on anyone who even seems to bear the slightest sign of political significance, regardless of their political affiliation.

[Exploited Class]

Originally posted by Drake Dracoli+Jan 15 2005, 01:37 PM--> (Drake Dracoli @ Jan 15 2005, 01:37 PM)
[email protected] 15 2005, 03:12 AM
Do you get added to fbi watch list for being commie?
The FBI will keep an eye on anyone who even seems to bear the slightest sign of political significance, regardless of their political affiliation. [/b]
Exactly, and I think the FBI with COINTELPRO in the past did enough damage to the party internally and externally to remove any such possible threat. Literally they probably just don't care much about a broken down party that has little to no political influence and almost no membership.

They are going to be focused on Earth First way before they ever give two looks to the cpusa.

The only way I think they can get to member records now is if they had a plant within the party, which they might. I doubt that they really care enough at this point however.

They'll care when there is a reason to care.

[USAcommunist]

Don't fool yourself about the internet, the FBI monitors as much of the world internet as the can, they even set up fake websites which, this could even be one. I don't think this one is but, you never know. Under the Patriot Act you don't have any rights, they can arrest you and detain you, imprison you, suspend all your rights under the bill of rights (US constitution), more or less you don't have any rights, they can wiretap you, infiltrate this website and gather information about everyone here, they can go to your internet server and they have to provide all your personnal information if they request it. I really don't care if the FBI is here on this site, they already know me and I know what to say and what not to say on a public forum like this. The point is they can do anything they want to do under the Patriot Act and you don't have any privacy what so ever under this american law. The law was challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court and the court did send down an opposing desision on the due process parts of this law, but, the Bush administration has appealed it and nothing has changed in it yet. I would advise any American on this site to be careful of exactly what you say because they probably are monitoring this site. As far as I'm concerned they know I don't give a fuck and the FBI can kiss this americans ass, I do know what not to say.

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[encephalon]

Probably monitoring this site? They most definitely are. :P

[NovelGentry]

Well if this site is an FBI Honeypot, then they were dumb enough to give me total access to the server -- that doesn't make a lot of sense.

[Conghaileach]

Originally posted by [email protected] 11 2004, 09:31 PM
The concept of "professional revolutionary" is not a new one - it goes back to Lenin's "What is to be Done" - so I didn't take the time to define it. Sorry for using a term that's unfamiliar to you.
I know what the term means, I just think that it's nonsensical jargon used by trendy-lefty fools with more interest in their egos than in working class issues. I'm sure that there are plenty who Trotsykite setcs who claim to be made up of "professional revolutionaries".

[USAcommunist]

Novel Gentry, sure it makes sence, have you ever heard of what the FBI use's to monitor with, the program is called Carnivior, they don't want to limit anyones freedom of speech, just the opoisite, they want to know what your thinking.

[NovelGentry]

H&S you're not reading what I'm saying. If it made sense it would be the equivalent of if the FBI gave me control over carnivore, that is to say, I could shut it down, change it's configuration, etc... any time I wanted. I have that access on this server, THAT is what wouldn't make sense.

Not the fact that they would create a honeypot, the fact that they would let someone like me have administrative control over it.

[Exploited Class]

Originally posted by [email protected] 15 2005, 09:01 PM
Well if this site is an FBI Honeypot, then they were dumb enough to give me total access to the server -- that doesn't make a lot of sense.
That is just the front end my CIA Friends and I have created, that wasn't seriously "the server". But it is very nice to know we fooled even you with it, it reacted to your changes better than we could have ever hoped, hahahaha.

Honestly though, I hope if the CIA is creating fake servers, they are not limited to crappy SUN RAQs 3s.

First off Carnivore is only an email sniffing program. I use the word "supposively" here. If you know anything about databases and how wonderful they are at breaking down and not functioning real well, you would know that this program is impractical. Carnivore is a mind game. It works on two levels, it keeps some of us in fear and others it provides comfort, but I seriously doubt it really exists or at least works.

Ecshilon would be the one to be scared of if you believe in these omnipotent programs functioning. In fact, Germany and France were pretty pissed off when they heard the US would recording and listening into international conversation with this bugger.

http://www.cotse.net/privacy/information_awareness_office_logo_original.jpg

This Office of Total Awareness Program, or TAPS. Is a joke. Look at this, it too is suppose to envoke 2 types of emotions, fear and safety. Any program like this that truly existed would ever use such a stupid and obvious orwellian symbol.

Do you have any idea how many database administrators is required for just the 30,000 or so Intel Employees? Now is it even feasible to have a database so big it collects credit card purchases, plane tickets, travel history, educational history..... just about everything about everyone. Hell we don't really even have a good database for keeping track of all the people, not counting all the additional information.

The manpower, computer power, time and complexity just doesn't come close to existing. It would crash every 20 minutes, why 20 minutes because it would take 20 minutes to boot up and upon bootup it would crash.

Don't let American Propaganda of all power, fool you into thinking it is true like they hope you will.

[Wurkwurk]

Originally posted by Conghaileach+Jan 16 2005, 05:37 AM--> (Conghaileach @ Jan 16 2005, 05:37 AM)
[email protected] 11 2004, 09:31 PM
The concept of "professional revolutionary" is not a new one - it goes back to Lenin's "What is to be Done" - so I didn't take the time to define it. Sorry for using a term that's unfamiliar to you.
I know what the term means, I just think that it's nonsensical jargon used by trendy-lefty fools with more interest in their egos than in working class issues.[/b]
Sad but true. If leftists put their effort where their mouth is, which they currently are not doing, BIG changes can be made.

[praxis1966]

Nevermind the fact that the NSA, not the FBI would be the ones to monitor this site. If you want to be paranoid, at least choose the right acronym to fear.

As far as the question of communist parties being banned in this country, it used to be true but no longer is. During World War I the federal government passed laws barring criticism of the federal government and a couple of anarchists were jailed for leafletting. However, the laws were recinded shortly after the war ended. I haven't heard of anyone being prosecuted solely for communist affiliations since the 1950s (nowadays they just get you on some other trumped up charge).

Truth be told though, I'm sure more than one government agency moniters this place. But as long as you don't advocate specific acts of violence (or violate the Patriot Act like Sherman Austin did) you should be fine.

[PRC-UTE]

The FBI shut down indymedia in Europe for a while.

[captain donald]

They can see you :unsure:

[anarchocommie]

Originally posted by Drake [email protected] 10 2004, 10:28 PM
Does the Socialist Party of the United States back the Democratic Party, and is there any problem with belonging to both a Socialist Party and a Communist Party.
I was a member of the Socialist party up untill I let my membership run out a few weeks ago...I can tell you that some of the members are steadfastly against working with democrats..some actually supported Kerry in 2004, but most only work with dems on the rare occasion there is an issue to issue agreement.

[jacobthehun]

Is there a communist party in New Zealand? and no its not part of Australia.

[Commie Rat]

yes it is :P

is there one in Aus?

[jacobthehun]

NO New Zealand is not part of australia :angry: but seriously is there a CP in New Zealand?

[American_Trotskyist]

This site is monitored by the Government, anyone who disagrees needs a serious reality check. 16 countries have come out and said they have a Big Brother type system which monators all phonecalls and emails that have specific words, this isn't a quote from Enemy of the State, it is entirly real. The US hasn't said it has one but they most likely have one. The Communist Labor Party is banned in the US, not the Communist Party. Please read the State and Revolution by Lenin and tell me if there is any possible way that the Communist Party isn't Menshevik. They make me sick. You are exactly the same as the German Social Democractic Party before Lenin. However, the CP maybe a petty reformist organization, but they still are a threat to the US. The CP still is in very close contact with the Cuban Government, The North Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Venezuallian. They are most definatly a threat if to the US by spreading non capitalist propoganda and possibly helping out left-wing governments.

[Commie Rat]

sheez man relax :lol: it was a joke :P
i would reather live in New Zealand right now anyways
bloody John Howard :angry:

[Ian]

There is a Communist Party of Australia and a Communist Party of Aoeteroa, and perhaps even a Communist Party of New Zealand.

www.broadleft.org

Where do you live Commie Rat?

[Commie Rat]

townsville sum lil bumkin city bout 4 hours south of Carins

[Karl Marx's Camel]

Do you get added to fbi watch list for being commie?

The FBI had several pages on Ernesto Guevara while he was touring America, long time before he became a revolutionary and a communist. Some people informed the government that he was a leftist and "made leftist speeches" at every stop.

If you go on about posting "holy Allah, revolution, 9/11, Marx, Lenin", chances are you're being watched.

[Ian]

Commie Rat: Far north QLD used to be called the Red North because the only ever communist member of parliament was elected from a seat up there

[Commie Rat]

Woot Woot

that pretti cool was he a member for Herbert?

[American_Trotskyist]

WTF does this have to do with communist in america?

[Ian]

Dunno, it was like 1947 or something...

[Beccie]

Originally posted by Commie R[email protected] 15 2005, 09:39 AM
[im in australia so could they put me ona lsit?]
They most certainly can! Australia shares electronical intelligence with the UK and the US. They have access to technology that is not seen by the public until it becomes redundant.

As exploited class has already mentioned, Ecshilon, is being used to gather information on people who communicate by any electronic means. The people have access to this intelligence type in a word or phrase of interest and any telephone conversation, email, text message, post on a forum etc. containing that word or phrase is printed out. Anything they consider to be suspicious they put in a file. If you talk about radical politics often enough over the phone or on the Internet, the Australian government will probably have a file on you.

[Rockfan]

Originally posted by [email protected] 21 2005, 07:04 AM
Is there a communist party in New Zealand? and no its not part of Australia.
yea there are a colpe of different 1's not sure on there names. Why are u a kiwi to dude.

[Rockfan]

Originally posted by [email protected] 24 2005, 05:09 AM

Do you get added to fbi watch list for being commie?

The FBI had several pages on Ernesto Guevara while he was touring America, long time before he became a revolutionary and a communist. Some people informed the government that he was a leftist and "made leftist speeches" at every stop.

If you go on about posting "holy Allah, revolution, 9/11, Marx, Lenin", chances are you're being watched.
yea and harvy oswalled (i think thatsa his name the guy who they say killed j f kennedy) was watch by them as he was commuist and defected to the ussr but came back.

[Commie Rat]

holy allah, revolution, 9/11, Marx, Lenin