Comments on: Communism vs. Capitalism

By: Sofi

Sofi — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:41:10 +0000

Socialism and basic forms of Communism are practiced elsewhere in the world.
So, we have resorted to kibbutzim in Israel and communes throughout the rest of the world (see Brook Farm, Massachusettes and various kibbutz in Israel). People share the work, the wealth, the land, and the larger possessions like cars. This fundamental form of Socialism has been proven to work on a small scale; however, true Socialism would, however sad it may be, take a serious toll on life as we know it.

This is because we are creatures of want.
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
To be human is to want.
The sad thing is that people tend to override things they need with things they want, and therefore, not all of us can focus on what it is we actually need.
In the United States, we have been lead to a false hope.
Do people realize that the top 20% of American families now control almost half of United States income while the bottom 20% is left with less than 5% to divvy up between them? The gap between rich and poor is at its widest since the end of World War II!
Growing polarization between rich and poor leads to greater social and political instability.
The United States ruling class is sitting on a time bomb!

By: Sofi

Sofi — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:20:05 +0000

Idealistic communism is a beautiful thing.
What communist countries have, however, are tyrannical monstrously power-hungry monarchs that want, want, want.
To change that would be to change the course of humanity. To change that would be to change what most of us have been raised to believes are the ideals (such as success in the business world).
And that is something nobody will ever know how to do under the veil of peace.

By: Erika

Erika — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:21:18 +0000

Oh, I know my interpretations of the Cuban government are a tad bit naive, but none of us have lived there, so who am I to tell it like it is? I wish it was a perfect country, but really, is any country perfect? I think not.

EVERY country has its faults, just like EVERY person has their own faults. The thing is nothing is perfect. I just personally, would like to move to Cuba. What’s wrong with that?

As a retort to Megan’s previous comment which I have neglected to respond to, do unto your neighbor as you would want them to do to you. Have you ever heard of a favor, or of helping someone out? That’s basically communism, everyones equal, no ones better, and if one makes money and the other doesn’t they choose to help the other out.

Isn’t that just ideal?

By: Erika

Erika — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:48:49 +0000

If you haven’t heard of Alger Hiss, please google him.

Read about him and Whittaker Chambers and what went down.

Why is communism looked down upon?

I don’t understand why people see it as a bad thing!

By: Sofi

Sofi — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:49:56 +0000

And to all of you that are wondering how Communism even works?
It doesn’t.

By: Sofi

Sofi — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:45:52 +0000

Megan:
Communism is based off of Marxism (though Marxism and communism are different. Marxism focuses on the proletariat and their rights to be equal to the upper class. Marx in short is all for the workers), but is usually totalitarian. The facet of communism is to have equal work equal pay, or similar, but as we know it doesn’t always work that way. What has happened is a lower work ethic (because everybody gets payed, no matter how hard they work), corruption, and poverty.
In theory, communism is a beautiful idea.
In practice, communism is a disaster.

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:31:10 +0000

So if nobody has to work…

By: Sofi

Sofi — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:23:41 +0000

Megan:
The person that “works hard to provide for his family” wouldn’t have to.

Are you hearing yourself?

And the person that works hard is NOT considerably wealthier, because in a Communist country, the mindset is that every person gets equal share of the wealth.

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:54:25 +0000

Erika:

I just want to know your opinion on something. Let’s say two people are living in a communist country. One person works hard to provide for his family. The other just sits and watches TV all day. The one that actually works is considerably more wealthy than the other. Are you saying that we should take money away from the person that works and give it to the person who’s poor, so that everyone is “equal”?

By: Sofi

Sofi — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:47:27 +0000

As much as I’d love to agree with your slightly naive interpretation of Cuban dictatorship, I can’t.
Fidel is, frankly, an ass. He went literally insane with power.
Raul, however, has been making minor “cosmetic” reformations such as legalizing sales of personal computers, allowing Cubans to stay in tourist hotels, and take out cell phone contracts.
He also wants to help boost food production, which has been named a national issue.
This is the EXTENT of the freedom there, Erika.
Cuba would NOT be the loveliest choice.