Its okay to be a Communist in California

3.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th May 2008

A bit of random news that I saw today, apparently the California Senate yesterday passed legislation that would delete membership in the Communist party as a reason for firing a public employee, a Cold War-era prohibition intended to root out communists.

California was the only state that allows public employees to be dismissed for membership in a political party. The law required any organisation that applies to use a public school facility can be asked to sign a statement that "the applicant is not a communist action organisation or a communist front".

The new law will still allow employees to be fired for any activity to overthrow the state or federal government!

The legislation, which will now be considered by the assembly, was approved on a 24-15 vote, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed.