Convention Discussion: Toward a Modern & Mature 21st Century Communist Party

  • February 20, 2014

“Convention Discussion: Toward a Modern & Mature 21st Century Communist Party” first appeared on CPUSA.org on February 20, 2014. Read it on CPUSA.org.

Submitted for discussion by the National Board of the Communist Party. This essay was originally a report to the National Board.

Given that we live in an era marked by economic stagnation, growing threats to humankind’s survival, changes in people’s sensibilities and thinking, the beginnings of a counteroffensive against corporate capital at the national and global level, and an ongoing regroupment of the communist movement on the level of theory and practices, it is no surprise that the features, nature, and role of the Communist Party, USA in the 21st century would be a subject of discussion as we head toward our 30th convention in Chicago.

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Chris Hedges’ catastrophism is faulty politics

  • February 10, 2014

“Chris Hedges’ catastrophism is faulty politics” first appeared on PeoplesWorld.org on February 10, 2014. Read it on PeoplesWorld.org.

A friend of mine sends me commentaries by Chris Hedges. He raves about them. In his words, they speak truth to power, tell it like it is. Hedges, he says, “pull no punches.”

I find them instructive and full of insights too; their sense of outrage is palpable.

There is little doubt that Hedges counts among a growing galaxy of progressive and left writers who are challenging conventional wisdom that sustains the system of capitalism and its present political configuration of forces.

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Richard Sherman and a changing story line

  • January 31, 2014

“Richard Sherman and a changing story line” first appeared on PeoplesWorld.org on January 31, 2014. Read it on PeoplesWorld.org.

Much has been said since Richard Sherman, the outstanding African American cornerback for the Super Bowl bound Seattle Seahawks, dissed San Francisco’s wide receiver 49ers Michael Crabtree in an interview immediately after the playoff game between the two teams ended. Only seconds earlier Sherman had leaped high into the air to deflect a pass away from Crabtree in the closing seconds of the game, crushing 49er hopes of going to this weekend’s Super Bowl.

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Democracy Matters: An Interview with Sam Webb

  • December 24, 2013

“Democracy Matters: An Interview with Sam Webb” first appeared on PoliticalAffairs.net on December 24, 2013. Read it on PoliticalAffairs.net.

Editor’s note: Interview with Sam Webb, Chair of the Communist Party USA on the subjects of the struggle for democracy and socialism conducted by Joe Sims.

PA: A discussion of socialism seems a little remote from the struggle to defeat Bush. Isn’t it a diversion?

Webb: We see the struggle to defeat Bush and his ultra-right counterparts as the main task in the coming period. It’s going to occupy our attention as well as the attention of tens of millions from now until Election Day. Nothing will set the stage for a broader struggle for people’s needs in the post-election period than defeating Bush and his right wing counterparts in Congress. At the same time, we don’t see any reason to warehouse the subject of socialism. Whether we like it or not, world developments are bringing socialism back into the political discourse in our country and worldwide. Why? Because it’s becoming apparent that problems such as environmental degradation, the health care and unemployment crises, inequality and racism, the issue of war and peace, can’t be resolved under capitalism. Keep in mind, capitalism is a global system, and rather than solving these problems, it greatly aggravates them. In some ways, capitalism at its present stage of development threatens the future of humankind. Whole regions of the globe are being ravaged. Given these circumstances, it is necessary to take a fresh look at socialism, while understanding that it is not on the people’s action agenda.

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Obamacare: Grumbling is not enough

  • November 26, 2013

“Obamacare: Grumbling is not enough” first appeared on PeoplesWorld.org on November 26, 2013. Read it on PeoplesWorld.org.

It is amazing how fast momentum can shift in politics. And it usually happens for reasons that could not have been predicted.

Case in point: only a month ago, the reckless shutdown of the federal government left its engineers — the tea party and the Republican Party — weakened, and the president and Democrats energized and with the wind at their back.

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