We are so not communist (yet) and I wish people would stop debasing terms like “Marxism/Marxist” and “communism/communist.” Those words have specific meanings. They are not catch-alls to describe left-wing politics. “Socialism” is just fine (even if the Dems won’t admit Pelosi, Obama, and their kind are basically socialists who only pay lip service to markets).
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think we are a communist nation yet.
But we are under one-party rule by socialists with communistic tendencies.
There aren’t solid lines on the political spectrum with absolute definitions for every degree of political administration. There are degrees — when enough characteristics are met then the definition applies.
For communism and marxism, look to the elements of the Communist Manifesto. We are well along that path — and it’s happened primarily since FDR.
Another simple test: does the government espouse the view “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”?
A third test: Go to the CPUSA web site and see how much they agree with what the Democrats are achieving.
It took years (since ‘99) for Chavez to change his country into what is very probably an autocracy (yes I know they have elections next year but his oligarchy will still have control, or just change the rules like the last time).