Is a Job a right or a privilege?

[karlhenning]

Unfortunately we don't have good examples of democratic communism.

Why "unfortunately"?  If you strike that superfluous adverb, Poju, your statement is impressive in its powerful simplicity.

[Florestan]

communism would work as a democracy, it has been proven communism does not work as a dictatorship.

Au contraire: communism can exist only as a dictatorship, since each and every of its basic tenets goes against human nature and experience and as such must be implemented by force. The moment democracy appears, even in adulterated forms, communism crumbles in a matter of days. Remember 1989.

[DavidRoss]

As our forefathers said "internal vigilance" was required to protect our constitution.  I think you're misquoting Wendell Phillips's statement that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."  That's the vigilance required to root out both overtly treasonous and subtly seditious ideas and practices that would undermine the foundations of liberty protected under our Constitution. The Soviet Union did folllow through on their guarantees of employment, affordable housing, free education and health care.  There's a guy in Brooklyn who has a terrific bridge he'd love to sell you--and at a bargain price!  Try telling those who ran afoul of the Soviet ruling elite about those guarantees.  However they trampled on their constitution in personal and freedom areas.  Especially freedom of religion and freedom from persecution. 

One thing that did not help is when Lenin pretty much crushed the constitution when he said the politburo would make decisions for the working class as they were not intelligent to make decisions for themselves. This is the mantra of every ruling elite, echoed daily by the "Progressives" who ridicule the intelligence and wisdom of those who disagree with them, like Obama scorning voters who stupidly "cling to their religion and guns."  Real democracy means that you must accept that others may not make the same choices you want them to, but that they know better than you which choices are best for them. So post Lenin the Soviet constitution was all but dead. The "Rights" chapter of the Soviet Constitution I quoted, which echoes most of the claims made in the "Rights" manifesto you quoted, is from 1977--long after Lenin stopped breathing.

BTW communism is too far to the left for me, but communism would work as a democracy, it has been proven communism does not work as a dictatorship. Given the statements you've made here and on other threads, it's clear that you are actually to the left of Stalin.  And, as others have already noted, your claim that "communism would work as a democracy" (a succinct statement of your "Progressive" beliefs, thank you) is not supported by experience--or even internally consistent, once you understand the economic facts of life and the reality of human nature.

[71 dB]

Why "unfortunately"?  If you strike that superfluous adverb, Poju, your statement is impressive in its powerful simplicity.

I don't waste my time on these remarks of yours. Just to let you know.

[DavidRoss]

Unfortunately we don't have good examples of democratic communism.

Why "unfortunately"?  If you strike that superfluous adverb, Poju, your statement is impressive in its powerful simplicity.

I don't waste my time on these remarks of yours. Just to let you know.

Yep.  No point wasting time trying to understand something that threatens our prejudices!  No, sir!  The last thing a self-proclaimed "free thinker" ever wants is to be challenged to actually think!

You know, if you strike the prefix "un" from Poju's statement, it really makes perfect sense: "Fortunately, we don't have good examples of democratic communism."  Fortunate because communism's record of dismal failure and consequent human misery has thoroughly discredited this cockamamie scheme to remake human nature in defiance of fundamental economic and political principles by fiat.  Might as well try rescinding the law of gravity because it's unfair to objects of smaller mass...though it's unlikely that such an attempt would cause nearly as much human suffering and harm.

[The Six]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply doesn't work.

[Florestan]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply doesn't work.

Care to elaborate on that?

[karlhenning]

I have a feeling we're being pushed towards happiness with an iron fist ; )

[DavidRoss]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply doesn't work.

It sure has issues, especially in a world where our population growth outpaces our spiritual growth.  Churchill nailed it when he said that democracy was the worst form of government except for all the others...and that the best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter!

[Todd]

Care to elaborate on that?

It's a Simpsons quote.

[Ten thumbs]

Rights always come with responsibilities. Privileges have already been earned.

[karlhenning]

Granted, certainly, whether earned or not.

[Teresa]

Perhaps you can tell us more about where Communism is currently working as a "democracy"??   I can't wait for your "answer"!? [/size]

Pretty much any hippy commune in the United States. 

Since Marxism is all about bringing economic equity to the workers, a democracy would be the best option.  That is why Karl Marx was interested in democratic countries such as England and the US as perfect models for a workers paradise.  A totalitarian government by definition is anti-worker.

[karlhenning]

Pretty much any hippy commune in the United States.

Good luck touting that as your model.

[The Six]

In theory, communism works.

In theory.

[Florestan]

Pretty much any hippy commune in the United States.

Then why don't you move to one of them?

Since Marxism is all about bringing economic equity to the workers, a democracy would be the best option.  That is why Karl Marx was interested in democratic countries such as England and the US as perfect models for a workers paradise.

A totalitarian government by definition is anti-worker.

Wrong. Workers' economic situation in Fascist Italy was superior to any previous era. The same can be argued for Nazi Germany as compared to the Weimar Republic. No wonder that Mussolini and Hitler were massively supported by the working class, who perceived them as one of their own. Had they not went to war, they might have well died in their bed, just as Franco did.