# I am a Communist. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 21, 2010, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964 "2010-08-21T09:21:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/201 "2010-08-24T03:40:21Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > > > Hmmm. Suspiciously good English for someone “born and raised in the Soviet Union.” Writing style sounds a lot like that other new member who started the I Am a Racist thread, which in turn reminded me of someone else. Not that I’m saying they’re all the same person. But hmmm. > > Well, if the racist guy was a troll, said person went to a lot of effort finding someone from a racist board, did some basic research, all just to come here and troll? Pretty pathetic. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > > [@Guinastasia](#): > > > > Well, if the racist guy was a troll, said person went to a lot of effort finding someone from a racist board, did some basic research, all just to come here and troll? Pretty pathetic. > > Fucking time limits! At any rate, I don’t know if THIS guy is a troll or not. However, assuming he’s NOT, at this point, I wouldn’t bother trying to argue with him, because his entire argument is basically full of shit. I don’t think I’ve EVER agreed with both **Crafter\_Man** AND **Starving Artist** in a political thread before. Well, some trolls have a LOT of time on their hands. That’s often what makes them become a troll. As for the OP here, whether he’s the same as that other guy or not, I suspect I’ve spent more time in communist countries myself than he has outside his mother’s basement. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/202 "2010-08-24T04:23:21Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I don’t think I’ve EVER agreed with both **Crafter\_Man** AND **Starving Artist** in a political thread before. That’s communism at work – bringing people together for a better world. ---
**Author:** ![Commissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@Commissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commissar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/203 "2010-08-24T05:13:19Z")
> [@mutantmoose](#): > > > [@Commissar](#): > > > > Execution is a viable response in only two situations: murder and treason. > > And corruption: > > > [@](#): > > > > Lately, in particular, [China] has executed several members convicted of corruption. That is the process of self-regulation that I envision. > > So that’s three situations. Any more? Nope, still two. I view corruption by eminent government officials as a form of treason against the people. And… alright, let’s clarify something. Many of you are overplaying this execution thing, so perhaps I should make my stance as clear as possible. I do not, repeat, do not believe that bullets to the head should be given out like candy. As I said before, it is a last-resort response for the most heinous of crimes. You really have to go out of your way to merit an execution! When executions happen, it should be big news! We’re not talking about moving millions, thousands, hundreds, or even tens of people down here. We’re talking your assorted murderers (basically the same people you already execute in the US), plus maybe one government official every couple years (who obviously has been found guilty of a pretty serious crime). So, overall, how many people do I think will be executed each year? Per capita, about the same number as are executed in the US right now. Probably less, because our criminal system will not throw indigent and racial minority defendants to the dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Commissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@Commissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commissar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/204 "2010-08-24T05:19:59Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > > [@Commissar](#): > > > > And at no point have I claimed that my theory “is the one true way.” It is simply a way, a potentiality in a sea of other options. > > If you don’t believe that communism is the “one true way”, then how do you justify giving it a permanent monopoly on power through a single-party state? It is a judgment call, one that all political systems must make. I do not believe that my political theory is the one true way. I do not even believe that there is a one true way (what applies to one nation may very well fail for another nation). However, I believe that the best overall ways will come from a one-party system, so that is the system that I would nourish and support. Look at it from the other side of the spectrum. The representative democrats may not believe that they have the one true way either, but they believe that it is most likely to be achieved by a multi-party system. Doesn’t this system foreclose on the option of having a one-party state instead? You see, judgment call. ---
**Author:** ![Commissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@Commissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commissar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/205 "2010-08-24T05:34:36Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > [ > Yes, democracies can produce bad leaders, and communist authoritarian states can produce good ones. But you’re only telling part of the story - sure, eight years of Bush was bad. But where is he now? Retired, following free and fair elections that brought the opposition to power without a shot being fired - not even the single bullet you’d have prescribed for Stalin and Gorbachev. Our constitution demanded Bush’s removal from power, and he was removed. As I stated previously, I believe in decentralized power within the single all-powerful party. That is to say, no single individual should be allowed to gather political power as Stalin had done. The system requires a complex system of checks and balances - I personally envision one with four branches of government (that’s right, more than the Western democracies brag of) and an in-depth written Constitution. I am also amenable to the concept of term limits, though it may sometimes be a very bad idea to shunt able leaders out of power. Hmmm… I could go either way on this one, depending on the strength of the arguments presented. Oh, and China has recently replaced a living leader in a completely peaceful transfer of power. Western states do not have a monopoly in this field, after all. > [@](#): > > I’m curious - how much freedom of speech are you willing to tolerate? Say that I speak out against your ideal regime - am I to be exiled to the gulag? What if I start a pro-democracy blog? A newspaper? What happens if I organize demonstrations calling for reform? > > At what point do I earn a bullet to the back of my head? I would tolerate a great deal; almost as much as the US currently tolerates (or perhaps more, given that I would not regulate obscenity). You can criticize us all you want, using whatever words you want. I draw the line as actual calls to a violent revolution (direct US counterpart - advocacy of illegal action). So, your speeches, blogs, and newspapers are fine; knock yourself out. Peaceful protests are fine; violent ones will be suppressed as they are everywhere else. Calling for an overthrow will earn you a year or two in a labor camp, but doesn’t merit an execution. How do you get executed, then? Well, words alone are not enough. You’d really have to go too far… Maybe firebomb an orphanage and run into the Duma firing two AKs on full automatic to drive your point home… Yeah, that would probably do it. Otherwise, you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/206 "2010-08-24T05:47:09Z")
> [@Commissar](#): > > The representative democrats may not believe that they have the one true way either, but they believe that it is most likely to be achieved by a multi-party system. Doesn’t this system foreclose on the option of having a one-party state instead? Nope. In a multiparty system, if the people consistently decide that a single party is doing a good job, they can re-elect them over and over again. The fact that communism can only remain in power through force (and not through the free consent of the governed) is strong evidence of it’s inability to consistently serve the interests of the majority of citizens. In fact, what it does best is serve the narrow interests of the ruling elite of the party. It’s an exploitative ideology, no different than extreme capitalism. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/207 "2010-08-24T07:07:33Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > > [@Commissar](#): > > > > Now I’ve seen everything. A capitalist telling me that I’m a bad Communist… 😉 > > There’s _something_ wrong with this sentence, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Fellow Dopers? Any help here? > [@BigBertha](#): > > Come now, just admit youre a capitalist and come out of the closet,😃 [Tom Cruise]I’m not _in_ the closet…[/TC] > [@Telemark](#): > > Capitalist isn’t capitalized? Nnn… no. I’m a revolutionary socialist; have been for over 20 years, and an active one at that. Plenty of reading and discussion with folks, to be sure, but also demonstrating, organizing, finding out what’s going on where and finding people to talk to while I’m there. In short, been around long enough to know that **Commissar** ’s political viewpoint is utterly un-Communist. ---
**Author:** ![Commissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@Commissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commissar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/208 "2010-08-24T07:08:55Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Nope. In a multiparty system, if the people consistently decide that a single party is doing a good job, they can re-elect them over and over again. That is not the same thing as a one-party state. What happens if the people make a mistake? What if they listen to a destructive orator? You would be comfortable flushing years of progress down the toilet? The problem is that these democracies are not really as varied as people think. Most parties are capitalist, and vary only in minor details. The systems are not set up to handle vastly different political parties, as the transition period would tear the country apart. Think of a capitalist and socialist party changing power every five years… That means that everything is privatized, then nationalized five years later, then privatized five years later, ad nauseum. This is nobody’s best interests, so instead the West plays a game in which it pretends to be democratic, when the only real choice is varying degrees of capitalism. > [@](#): > > The fact that communism can only remain in power through force (and not through the free consent of the governed) is strong evidence of it’s inability to consistently serve the interests of the majority of citizens. In fact, what it does best is serve the narrow interests of the ruling elite of the party. It’s an exploitative ideology, no different than extreme capitalism. See above. We could play the West’s game, but why should we? Why not serve the best interests of the people without subjecting the system to harmful instability? And ruling by permanent mandate is not the same thing as ruling by “force.” As long as things go smoothly, no force need ever be used. ---
**Author:** ![Commissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@Commissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commissar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/209 "2010-08-24T07:16:00Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > I’m a revolutionary socialist; have been for over 20 years, and an active one at that. Plenty of reading and discussion with folks, to be sure, but also demonstrating, organizing, finding out what’s going on where and finding people to talk to while I’m there. In short, been around long enough to know that **Commissar** ’s political viewpoint is utterly un-Communist. I apologize for the mistake, then. Why are you attacking your fellow socialist, then? It is exactly this kind of petty squabbling over minor matters of theory that has been holding our cause back for too long. As a socialist, you really ought to know better than to assume that you can personally decide who does or does not qualify as a Communist. For instance, I can see that our takes on socialism are worlds apart, but I am proud to acknowledge you as a fellow Communist/socialist/whatever you prefer to call yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/210 "2010-08-24T07:32:58Z")
> [@Commissar](#): > > I apologize for the mistake, then. Why are you attacking your fellow socialist, then? Because your views are, for lack of a less Pitworthy term, completely fucked up. I’ve known socialists on three continents and I feel quite safe in saying they’d call you on your support for the junta in Burma as quickly as I have (if not more so in the case of actual Burmese socialists). And your elitist views on the benevolent hand of a one-party state is in direct contradiction to Marx’ (and Lenin’s) aim of a multi-party state _run by the workers in their interests_. > [@](#): > > _It is exactly this kind of petty squabbling over minor matters of theory that has been holding our cause back for too long._ Support of an oppressive military junta is not a minor matter. Holding up China as an example of desirable socialism/communism is not a minor matter. These are the kind of views that not only invite attack from those who consider themselves anti-socialist, but also alienate those who are looking for a way to change the world and might actually be sympathetic to socialist arguments. > [@](#): > > _As a socialist, you really ought to know better than to assume that you can personally decide who does or does not qualify as a Communist. For instance, I can see that our takes on socialism are worlds apart, but I am proud to acknowledge you as a fellow Communist/socialist/whatever you prefer to call yourself._ As a socialist, I know better than to let a self-applied label cloud my judgment regarding the content of a person’s thoughts. This isn’t to say that if you miraculously wised up and joined a demonstration defending human rights in Burma that I’d pick a fight with you over your defense of China then and there, but in a context like this where the point is defense of one’s ideas and arguments, I’m thoroughly prepared to let you know in no uncertain terms that anyone espousing your views cannot possibly be considered socialist or communist when measured against the thoughts and arguments of prominent socialist revolutionaries like Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Trotsky. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/211 "2010-08-24T08:10:56Z")
Oh, come on Olentzero! Let’s not bicker and argue over who killed who. There’s revolution in the air! This petty squabbling over who exactly should get the bullets in the backs of their heads is just so _trivial_. It’s but a minor matter of theory. Besides, undesirables are expensive, but bullets are cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/212 "2010-08-24T11:53:04Z")
> [@Commissar](#): > > I believe in decentralized power within the single all-powerful party. War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/213 "2010-08-24T12:14:22Z")
> [@Commissar](#): > > Why are you attacking your fellow socialist, then? It comes from being able to correctly recognize other communist intellectuals’ utopian visions as being crap, but being unable to recognize one’s own utopian vision as being crap. It’s really no different than fundies from different religions squabbling over which god is the true god, when in fact there is no god. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/214 "2010-08-24T12:37:29Z")
> [@Commissar](#): > > As long as things go smoothly, no force need ever be used. More often phrased as > [@](#): > > Do what I say and nobody gets hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/215 "2010-08-24T13:09:25Z")
Do Communist women get like a babushka starter set when they sign up, or do they have to stand in line for those too? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/216 "2010-08-24T13:42:07Z")
So this is really just a, “when I’m king of the world”, jerk circle, usually found in teenagers? If you really think Russia and China are all that, what’s standing in the way? Why aren’t you immigrating there? Sounds like you could return to Russia anytime you want, so why haven’t you? It’s not like there is a big crowd of people dying to get into those countries, quite the reverse, actually. Why did your family immigrate, if it’s so awesome there? I am curious, if you don’t mind sharing, what you do for a living, what social strata you belong to? Are your parents, (who, I assume, did the immigrating), still communists? Would they be anxious to return to Russia? Have you read a book called, “Red China Blues”? If not, I highly recommend it to you, it’s right up your alley, I think you’ll really enjoy it! ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/217 "2010-08-24T13:43:51Z")
In your opinion, what led to the fall of the Soviet Union. I understand that you blame Gorbachev, but do you believe that without him, the entire structure would still be around? ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/218 "2010-08-24T13:51:10Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > > [@Commissar](#): > > > > Why are you attacking your fellow socialist, then? > > It comes from being able to correctly recognize other communist intellectuals’ utopian visions as being crap, but being unable to recognize one’s own utopian vision as being crap. It’s really no different than fundies from different religions squabbling over which god is the true god, when in fact there is no god. Or free-market fundies singing the praises of the Invisible Hand. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/219 "2010-08-24T14:18:07Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Or free-market fundies singing the praises of the Invisible Hand. Yup. A fundie is a fundie is a fundie – the causes differ, but the disconnect from reality remains. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964/220 "2010-08-24T15:01:01Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > So this is really just a, “when I’m king of the world”, jerk circle, usually found in teenagers? > > If you really think Russia and China are all that, what’s standing in the way? One way from Toronto to Cuba is frequently under $200 via Westjet or Air Canada. I don’t know what it would cost via Cuba’s own Cubana, for the pricing section of its webstite is busted, and has been since July (I was looking at prices last month). Qu’elle suprise. I got a laugh out of the [Cubana flight map](http://www.cubana.cu/timetable/)– it shows that it flys to Thunder Bay, but in reality it does not whereas its competition Westjet does. My guess is that the comrade who drew the map simply copied from the capitalist competition, and no one else in the operation could give a shit to fix it. The other Canadian destination on Cubana’s map does not correlate to anything – the closet would be North Bay – that NORAD place. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-communist/550964.md?page=12)