Wonder why we are in this mess? This graph makes it obvious!

 
"[T]he long night of rule by the most reactionary groups on the political spectrum has ended...  we extended and deepened our mass connections, we contributed to the historic victory in 2008, we enhanced our presence and visibility, and we increased our membership.  We didn't grow as much as we would have liked, but we have a firm foundation on which to increase our size, visibility and readership of our publications in the period ahead.  Provided, of course, that we further build and unite the working class based coalition that came together to elect President Obama."  Sam Webb, Chair of the Communist Party USA, June 3, 2010.