Yes, they were a very crude metaphor for the threat of a Communist takeover in the USA.

Downright hilarious, seen from that point of view, but those were spectacularly paranoid times. I've been to Cuba, which did experience a Communist takeover, and as far as I'm concerned they are far better off than they'd be now if it had not happened...and have not at all lost their human individuality or their spirit.

It was, however, a darned good movie, regardless.