ive been follow this guy for a week, and ive become more aware of how the cpusa works. this is his latest video, this nightcrowred just came back from New York, try to catch up and on this video and you will understand the basics, its the conclusion that he made just after comming home.
ill post the interview with the chairman of the cpusa when you have replied on this one.
Tyrlop Chairman of the WR Committee
Posts : 1853 Join date : 2008-06-01
Subject: letter - CPUSA is changing radicaly! Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:38 pm
i got this today, it says that CPUSA Is changing alot and it would be perfect for you american commies if you join them now, you might get a voice to change the party in the interrest of you, and your view on communism. This is the letter that i got, from the CPUSA leadership. These are the things that we discussed and because of you (The viewers) for your comments, and suggestions, they have changed many things. This is the report in which Sam Webb National Chair of the CPUSA gives about these changes. These are the things that we voted on and now are going to take action because of you. I encourage you to Join the CPUSA and give more of your input for future changes. To also help move socialism forward and create a more broader "All Peoples Front". I know some of my viewers are not from this country, and that is okay, I do appreciate your support and I fully support you with your endeavors. Comrades here is my report from the CPUSA and Sam Webbs Report on the changes being made. Again please note that we are doing everything in our power to help create an all peoples front, and create a better America for all of us. Thank you for your time..
Proposals on Reconfiguring and Restructuring our Work Sam Webb Turning to the reconfiguring At our recent National Committee meeting, June 20, we discussed and reached some decisions regarding the reconfiguring of our work. The decisions were arrived after discussion in the National Committee and prior to that in the National Board and with leaders of every major collective, especially the Peoples Weekly World and Political Affairs. The National Committee expressed its overwhelming support for the proposals that you find below. Only four voted against the proposal and four abstained. Background Before presenting the proposals, some background and observations are warranted. Reconfiguring our work is not something that we are doing for the first time; since the beginning of this decade, we have been reconfiguring our theory, politics, structures of organization, and finances. We did so because we had to; necessity was the mother of invention. In 1991 a third or more of our members and leaders left the party; our biggest losses were on the two coasts. Many members and leaders who remained were dispirited and lost the spring in their step. And for some that spring still hasnt returned. Our financial resources shrank drastically as the generation that sustained the party for nearly the last half of the 20th century passed away not to mention the lost income due to membership decline. We retained control of our investment funds, but our funds have never generated enough income to sustain our work. Finally, the collapse of the Soviet Union as well as other political and economic developments (the rise of right wing extremism, financialization, globalization, the new socialist impulse in Latin America, ecological breakdown, the Obama campaign and presidency, etc.) presented a challenge to Marxism and its methodology. Fresh look Given this situation, we were compelled to take a fresh look at many aspects of our work. We examined some of our theoretical concepts, employing a methodology free of rigid and enclosed notions that resist new experience and discourage fresh thinking. We gave coherence to our strategic and tactical policies, culminating in a new party program adopted at the convention in 2005. New emphasis was attached to the popular character of the coalition against the extreme right, while at the same time giving prominence to the special role of the working class and labor movement as an emerging leader of this coalition. We took a fresh look at the labor movement, noting the new positive developments, even asking ourselves whether quantitative changes were reaching a qualitative turning point in terms of labors outlook and practical activity. We began re-envisioning the path to socialism and socialist society, based on present day challenges and a critical examination of the socialist experience in the 20th century. The structures and functioning of the party and press were modified on more than one occasion. We discussed and re-discussed the status and quality of our work at the grassroots without reaching definitive conclusions. We brought new younger cadre into leadership responsibilities, although much more needs to be done in this regard. The office of the PWW was relocated to Chicago and an able staff led by the first woman editor in the papers history was assembled. We renovated our building thereby turning it into an income-earning asset for the first time in fact our best income-earning asset. Political Affairs, under the leadership of the first African American editor, Joe Sims, and Joel Wendland, its current editor, altered its content and style to good effect. The internet was employed to communicate our message and organize our work, although we are still not fully utilizing this new technology. I could go on, but I have made my point: the current reconfiguring is of a piece with a larger process that stretches over a decade. Adapt to new conditions No organization or institution can long exist in a condition of stasis; organizations in general and political parties and social movements in particular have to adjust to new conditions. We are no different. And the reason is simple: change is constant and organizations and institutions must, if they want to remain relevant, change in the face of changing conditions. We have done that and in a way that is consistent with Marxist and our own radical tradition. To be sure, not everything turned out as we hoped; there were mistakes, false starts, and some results fell far short of what we expected. There were also the inevitable frustrations and tensions that come with making change. Change, even where its necessity is recognized, doesnt happen easily. On the whole, however, we gained experience, broke new ground, and adjusted to new conditions of struggle. Had we stood still, life would have left us in the rear view mirror. A glance at history, after all, reveals that the landscape of the class struggle is littered with working class formations that didnt adapt to new realities. But to our credit we chose change, we chose innovation, which is not surprising since we are (or should be) a party of innovators. While embracing our traditions, principles, and history, which help us navigate stormy seas, we also eagerly searched for new angles of looking at, thinking about, and reshaping the world. We understood, much like earlier generations of communists, that such a method of analysis is not only consistent with, but also an imperative of Marxism. New round of reconfiguring What are the framing elements of this new round of reconfiguring? There are three: First, budgetary considerations compel us to reconfigure our work; the status quo is not sustainable. The U.S. government can run deficits for extended periods of time, but we dont have that luxury. Going forward we have to pay as we go. We cant any longer expect that a big chunk of money (in the form of a bequest or gift) is going to end up in our hands each year. Thus we have to budget like others do; our budget has to be sustainable from year to year. To bring spending into line with income requires a reduction in expenditures of more than $700,000. Among other things that entails reducing our paid staff (I say paid because we have full and part time volunteers on our staff too) to 17 from its current level of 29. Such cuts cannot be postponed, and will take effect no later than the end of this year. Obviously we want to make these staff reductions as humanely as possible. But even these cuts alone are not enough. Other savings will have to be found. If we do this, and we have no choice, we will take a long step in the direction of financial sustainability, shorn of any expectation that an unknown benefactor will pull the chestnuts out of the fire each year. Another framing element is the internet revolution. This revolution is changing the way that we receive our news, work, live, play, socialize, interact, raise money, organize, and think. And its penetration into every aspect of life can only grow as time goes by. Its transformative capacities are not yet fully appreciated in my view. Finally, a sea change occurred on Election Day and nothing that has happened since then suggests anything else. We live in a new era of struggle in which reforms and even radical reforms are on the agenda. The tactics of defending what we won in earlier decades has given way to the tactics of struggling for what we need in coming years. Objectives of reconfiguring So with these framing elements in mind, what are the objectives of this reconfiguration process? Growing our Party at a much quicker pace in the course of involvement in the peoples movement is a central objective. Both our party and press are too small. Our membership is 1,000-plus and our print subscribers hover around 2,000. Isnt that a problem for the further development of a labor-led peoples movement not mention our own future? Take us out of the equation even at our current size and the movement is weakened. By the same token, add us to the equation and multiply our size manyfold and the movement benefits enormously. Another key objective is to focus on our essential functions - ideological, political, and organizational; we cant do everything that we have been doing. A third objective is to streamline our structure and collectives; cut out unnecessary layers; cut down on administration; and accent outreach. A final objective is to employ the internet/web as a tool that expands our ability to reach, educate, and organize people. I say organize because, despite the experience of the Obama campaign, the notion persists that online work is a world apart from grassroots work and labor concentration. The internet is not a magic bullet to be sure. But I would argue that the full utilization of the internet can greatly expand our reach and influence; it can amplify our voice to old and new audiences; it can reintroduce and rebrand the party for millions who either think we no longer exist or hold gross misperceptions of us; it can enlarge our organizing role; it can deepen and extend our concentration policy, and it can increase the attractive pull of our ideas. It is the best tool, bar none, for reaching the 20 percent of Americans who support socialism and another 27 percent who are undecided on which system that favor. Of course, none of this will happen automatically. It will take a reallocation of human and financial resources and a lot of hard, sustained work. Tackling a problem After considerable discussion, the National Committee adopted these proposals: (1) Bring our expenses in line with our reoccurring income in near and longer term. (2) Single website (people before profits) with multiple domains cpusa, pww, pa, and ycl - featuring online news, commentary, education, theoretical discussions, action initiatives, audio podcasts, YouTube interviews, downloadable materials, etc. (3) PWW transition from print to online by the end of the year; develop transition plan; talk to every reader; and produce a locally downloadable weekly edition of top stories and opinions that will be available to districts, clubs, and readers. (4) Political Affairs, which is already online, to expand its mission in terms of multi-media mass education and information. (5) Appeal for full and part time volunteers (6) Re-envision every position, with an emphasis on online work, public outreach, and fund raising in the context of party building and strengthening the broader peoples movement. (7) Full time state/local organizers adjust their work to writing online, fundraising, and grassroots organizing within the framework of growing the membership, building clubs, and strengthening the peoples coalition. ( Every district discuss reconfiguring its work to fit the new moment. (9) Reduce our paid staff from 29 to 17; does not include volunteer staff. (10) Discuss with comrades who are on paid staff and reached 62 years old to either become a full time volunteer or receive partial pay; several already are. (11) Reduce staff of YCL to one position; discuss reconfiguring of the work and structure of YCL with its leadership and membership; and explore further the feasibility of an additional staff position. (12) Build up funds; Elena Mora, current National Organization Secretary, will change her assignment to Donor Development/Gift Giving Coordinator. (13) Establish collective to discuss reaching the Spanish-speaking communities; this entails the soliciting of writers, developing email lists of activists and leaders, and finding translators, among other things. (14) Merge the coordinating/organizing committees meet twice a month; in addition to representatives of collectives at national level (party, YCL, education, and media), include full time state/local party organizers. The latter would participate on a monthly basis. Some objections (1) Why cant we do both continue weekly print and go fully online? Two constraints make it impossible. One is human resources and energy. The current staff of the paper says that they cant do both; if we tried we would end up with the worst of both worlds. It may not be obvious, but the work rhythm, mindset, content, skills, and culture for online news are very different from the production of a weekly print paper. The other constraint is financial. What we are currently spending is unsustainable. So we have to reduce our spending from about $1.7 million to about $1 million. To continue print and to go online in a full-blooded sense is beyond our financial means. (2) Isnt going online a get-rich-quick scheme? No one thinks so. In fact, it will take a lot of hard work to make the transition and the results will come over time. At the same time, we have to ask which tool and they are both tools the print or daily online will allow us to influence the labor and peoples movement more? Which tool will allow us to extend our presence and our message to a larger audience? Which tool will allow people to become acquainted with the Communist Party and its views? Which tool will better position us to grow? In the National Committees view the answer is online. The internet, unlike TV and radio, is a democratic technology in so far as it allows us to speak to, educate, and organize a potentially unlimited audience. We have said that our task is to speak to millions. A worthy goal indeed! But we havent done so for a simple reason: we had no tool/means of communication to make it feasible. As great as the print version of the PWW is, its audience is roughly 2,000. But with the internet and other new technologies the desire to reach millions turns into a real possibility. Without any sense of hyperbole, we could become the one of the best sites in the working class and peoples movement in short order. Of course, it entails a culture change individually and collectively on our part. In fact, we will have to develop an extensive training program. (3) What about the digital divide? Are we leaving sections of the people behind? The digital divide is a reality, but a shrinking reality. Furthermore, no one should think that we are currently reaching those on the other side of the digital divide now nor should we assume that would change in the future in any appreciable way with the old methods. Finally, we will have print materials in English or Spanish. (4) Arent we leaving our print audience behind? That would be a possibility, but we arent going to let that happen. Among other things, we want to use the next six months to talk to every reader of the PWW and every member. Where necessary, we will train people to go online. (6) Are our clubs going cyberspace now? Not really although we hope that every club will go online and take advantage of the possibilities of the internet. We envision synergy, not competition between on the ground work and online work. Final words The transition to online news, education, fund raising and organizing is, we believe, the bridge that we have to cross if we hope to become a fully viable and growing party in the 21st century. That we have the financial and human resources to make this plunge makes us lucky indeed. We consider this one of the most exciting project that we have undertaken in many years in the Party. Again its not a magic bullet, but it is full of potential and promise, some of which we have already seen, to reach, educate, influence and organize a far bigger audience than we now reach.
Zealot_Kommunizma Hero of the World Republic
Posts : 5413 Join date : 2007-12-06 Age : 35 Location : Mexico/Russia/Worl
"New realities". Aside from technological advances, the increase in cultural hegemony and the intensification of scientific administration, I don't see what great changes have there been in contrast to say 1985, specially changes requiring a new ideologic approach... if they were real Marxists they wouldn't have such a political platform and certainly wouldn't treat Marxism as a religion.
Liche Chairman of the Supreme Council
Posts : 4613 Join date : 2008-01-30 Age : 30 Location : USA-Virginia
I've actually spoken with via email, I can give you his if you really want it.
Is he claiming not to be in the Communist party? Because he is
I had some questions about YCLUSA which Melon advised against not joining, but I want to see more what the CP platform is, and maybe try and get an idea of what these guys are all about.
comrade110397 New Party Member
Posts : 569 Join date : 2008-11-11 Age : 38 Location : IDK
No, they must have "founded". Americans always make their worst enemies.
most communist parties, or at least the american communist party if from before the soviet union so it could impossible have founded the american party. but the russian communist party founded ussr, or am i wrong?
Black_Cross Chairman of the WR Committee
Posts : 1702 Join date : 2008-04-04 Age : 35 Location : Sisyphean Hell
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Subject: CPUSA - intressting youtube conclusion. 
Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:39 pm
Every district discuss reconfiguring its work to fit the new moment.
