Is it illegal to express/support COMMUNIST ideas in America?

Question

for example, can i say "i like communism" in public
or have pictures on t shirts or in any way expose the word "communist" or the communist symbol?

Or is it ILLEGAL?

Also, then what about Nazism? What if we have swastikas on our shirts or have a flag with a swastika hanging out in front of our house? Would that also be protected by the 1st amendment?

The last time I checked, some famous guy was arrested for having the swastika symbol on his uniform. Why is that?

Answer 1

Its not against the law to express support for communism or for Nazism. But Yahoo will remove your question if you say anything about the US military that is opposite to success.

Answer 2

It's not illegal to express *any* ideas in the U.S. Although back in the 1950's you certainly would've been harrassed and threatened (and possibly beaten up) by some people, you also would've lost your job if your boss found out and the FBI would've kept a close eye on you, but nowadays nobody really pays much attention to commies. While people with socialist tendencies do exist in mainstream politics, communism as a distinct political philosophy just doesn't seem relevant to our society anymore. Even most of the poor and blue-collar people in the U.S. don't see much value or sense in the idea of completely abolishing all private property and having the government run everybody's personal lives. And the few hardcore out-of-touch commies/hippies that are still around obviously don't pose any sort of threat of violence or revolution. Also, countries like China and Cuba which are currently under communist governments aren't threatening to spread their system to us or their neighbors, and are nowadays quite content with keeping their communism to themselves so there is simply no longer any "red menace" for people to fear or hate. So if you want to wear that red t-shirt with the old Soviet hammer-and-sickle on it, go right ahead. Chances are, nobody will even give a damn.

Answer 3

as from what I read of the answers, there doesn't seem to be a lot of Americans who know anything at all about Communism. Because basically, Communism is to commune, to help each other in a community, to develop everybody in a community, and communism doesn't say anything at all about stealing as OK. hell I hate seeing people talking about things they have no idea of. =) sorry guys. must speak my mind. am a communist, I hate seeing people misled.

And, by the way, you can't achieve communism unless EVERYBODY in the world is ready to accept it. So Chine and all the others are Communist led (at least they claim to be communists) but are socialist countries (as for china, regressing to Capitalist). =)

I thought Americans are smart, go live up to that. At least, have a little research on the topic before sounding like a genius talking about nonsense.
In my country, you get abducted for professing communism.. I hope this doesn't count... =)

Answer 4

Perfectly legal right as protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. Further reinforced various by Supreme Court rulings.

Answer 5

Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom of petition, etc...etc...etc... there isnt much you CAN'T do regaurding your communist views. As long as it doesn't infringe on somebody elses rights, or outright break any laws...
ex: you are communist, so you want the government to provide food for you, so you go shopping without paying.

You can, however tell everybody you know about how great it is to be a communist, and wear all the communist clothing you want.

Answer 6

It is entirely legal. The Communist Party USA is legal too. So is the American Nazi Party.

Of course, if you go around promoting a highly unpopular ideology, you should expect some people to take offense.

Answer 7

Peerfectly legal -- public advertisement of government that
goes against everything the United States stands for isn't
something that deserves any supprot.

Answer 8

No its legal waaaaay back when some pretty smart guys thought you should be able to think and say whatever you want they put that in some amendment thingy in a constitution?

Answer 9

No.That's 100% protected by the 1st Amendment freedom of speech clause.

Answer 10

in oklahoma its a felony to "publicly display any red flag or other emblem or banner, indicating disloyalty to the Government of the United States or a belief in anarchy or other political doctrines or beliefs, whose objects are either the disruption or destruction of organized government, or the defiance of the laws of the United States or of the State of Oklahoma"