Communism: A Real Evil or A Victim of Propaganda?

[Longasc]

I just wanted to point out that wars and evil are not solely restricted to dictators and communist governments.

America as a capitalist democracy started the invasion of Iraq. Some think it was right, some not. I am in the second group while I initially thought there was something behind false claims.

 

[ainwood]

In my opinion, the major downfall of communism is that the principle of equality for everyone is not supported by those who do the implimentation (corruption), and the trickle-down is that the planned economies don't really work as intended, because they are also subject ot the corruption. The advantage the democracy has is largely due to the checks and balances set-up to reduce the corruption.

No-one really wants everyone to be equal - human's are far too competitive for that. People like having something to aspire to, and they like to have something to pity.

 

[Smidlee]

Most governments today have social aspects. Some developing and non-european countries still miss the social and health insurance for everyone.

Perhaps something that should be introduced...?

Almost all USA socials programs are failures because of abuse. Why pay or work for something you can get free then why would businesses spend it's resourse on that with little profit? A good example is what is happening lately here with the flu shots.

P.S.As far as government Democracy is the weakest form of government yet gives more freedom while Communism is stronger and has more power over the masses but of course less freedom. I personally take Democracy anyday.

 

[kulade]

Almost all USA socials programs are failures because of abuse. Why pay or work for something you can get free then why would businesses spend it's resourse on that with little profit? A good example is what is happening lately here with the flu shots.

I agree. Ever since social welfare in the US was created, the poverty rate has gone no where.

 

[newfangle]

Communism requires that an individual not possess individualism. The consequences of this contradiction are obvious to anyone willing to look.

We are who we are. You may either accept your humanity, or reject it by calling us "evil" and "selfish" and we "aren't ready for communism." Bollucks I say.

 

[luiz]

Everyone here know my opinion about Communism.
It's crap, it's tyranny, it's a crime.

Why did it fail?
Numerous reasons, but mainly an economical one.

The communist nations were unable to determine how to efficiently allocate resources. This is done under Capitalism by the Market, via price signals. The smart commies knew this, hence Kruschev's quote: "When all the world is communist, we will force Switzerland to remain capitalist so that they can tell us the price of everything".

And I could go on all night about how communism cripples the stimulum to individual achievments, how it levels everyone by the lowest denominator, how the October Revolution can be described as the Revolution of Mediocrity and so on.

 

[eyrei]

Communism requires that an individual not possess individualism. The consequences of this contradiction are obvious to anyone willing to look.

I thought we were going to avoid propoganda...why does communism require that?

 

[Longasc]

I think a proper implementation is necessary. Let people pay their part, and do not give them things for free without need. You are right, you cannot give people everything for nothing.

But if not, if everyone cares only for himself, is care taken for everyone? Leaves some dead behind, and YOU might be among them if you are unlucky.

 

[Arminius]

The failure of both Communism and Capitalism is the fact that everyone is NOT equal, but should be treated as such to create a truly FREE world. Communism makes everyone equal. Capitalism ignores equality.

 

[newfangle]

I thought we were going to avoid propoganda...why does communism require that?

Propaganda? Yeah, ok whatever.

As soon as a being possesses individual consciousness, that being will work towards that being's own interests.

Communism presupposes that humans aren't such beings, and that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for a "greater good." A term without a definition I might add.

 

[storealex]

All extremes suck. Communism included.

 

[HighlandWarrior]

CCCP winning? have you ever been to a former soviet country? i visited bulgarville and romania this summer, two crapholes. The crappiest town in america is nicer than any city in either country. If that's winning i want to lose in the worst way.

i must admit the statue of liberty in PYCE bulgaria is awesome.

 

[newfangle]

But if not, if everyone cares only for himself, is care taken for everyone? Leaves some dead behind, and YOU might be among them if you are unlucky.

Luck has nothing to do with whether or not you are responsible for your own existence.

 

[Colonel]

A True Communist goverment in its most basic form is a good type of goverment, however to often then not this type of goverment falls victim to the evil and greed of men in power. The only problem with the communist goverment is that it is to sepetiable to corruption. You need a small amount of Democracy mixed with any goverment to make it a truely functioning goverment. So for Communism you would need a Democratic Communist goverment. Elections of public officals, and therefor no corruption.

 

[stratego]

I'm pretty sure the Russians felt better under Communism than they do under Capitalism.

 

[Longasc]

newfangle is unlucky and gets crippled for life. Unfortunately, he was self-responsible, his family cannot afford the necessary treatment for him and depends on charity.

Everyone is responsible for himself.

You want pure egoism? This is asocial. Social would be to care for the unlucky. Not only by unsecure charity collected on Sundays in churchs and stuff like that.

Now think of a social insurance, everyone is supposed to pay in. Poor unlucky newfangle gets at least the basic treatment. Not bad at all!

 

[eyrei]

Propaganda? Yeah, ok whatever.

As soon as a being possesses individual consciousness, that being will work towards that being's own interests.

Communism presupposes that humans aren't such beings, and that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for a "greater good." A term without a definition I might add.

You just answered my question by repeating what I had questioned you about in different words...I'm assuming you can do better than that.

 

[ainwood]

CCCP winning? have you ever been to a former soviet country? i visited bulgarville and romania this summer, two crapholes. The crappiest town in america is nicer than any city in either country. If that's winning i want to lose in the worst way.

i must admit the statue of liberty in PYCE bulgaria is awesome.

Well, you can make points without nation bashing.

I have been to a number of former easter-bloc countries, and they were all fantastic.

 

[h4ppy]

newfangle is unlucky and gets crippled for life. Unfortunately, he was self-responsible, his family cannot afford the necessary treatment for him and depends on charity.

Everyone is responsible for himself.

You want pure egoism? This is asocial. Social would be to care for the unlucky. Not only by unsecure charity collected on Sundays in churchs and stuff like that.

Now think of a social insurance, everyone is supposed to pay in. Poor unlucky newfangle gets at least the basic treatment. Not bad at all!

Of course an even larger amount of people get shafted by welfare such as what you are suggesting. Thanks but I'd rather take my chances.

 

[cgannon64]

If it was something we 'grew up in', wouldn't it be possible to change it?

I'm sorry, I was unclear; I meant grew up in as a race. Meaning, competing for survival, among other species, among other cultures...