"The life of a Communist - poor or affluent - is a chronic pain in the neck... His homes, assembly halls, outdoor meetings, are continually being smashed up. His mail is opened and confiscated. If he should have sufficient charm or energy left to indulge in any amatory adventures, he is tailed, broken in upon under the most embarrassing circumstances and booked on the toughest moral charge possible . If he can afford to travel, chances are that he will be deported as soon as his identity and political affiliations become known to the authorities of whatever country in which he may be temporarily sojourning... If the Communists were not such impractical, hairbrained, idealistic, theoretical, pathetic dopes they would call themselves some other name, smell just as sweet (or sour) and be spared a good eighty percent of their martyrdom in all capitalistic countries."
More about American Communists during the Great depression can be read here
