Ask a Communist

[Max zero]

Star Trek is communist.

The defining feature is that the way for anything is either reduced to the ability to provide it at the lowest level to all OR to increase ability to give anything to anyone at anytime.

End result of the Star Trek method is that unless you're flying around on a space ship you better be a scientist or an artist because there is no place in society for you.

Communism is an intellectual paradise, as long as the needs of the many are provided to them.

I'm not convinced that giving everyone everything will result in any quest for self improvement.

Star Trek is an excellent example for me. Yes the day to day needs are met so the competition simply moves to other spheres (achievement, rank, status). There can only be one ship captain so competition is fierce. The pressure starts from the academy, students are under massive pressure to perform from a young age.

 

[AM]

Thanks for answering my question on communism with an answer on purity of capitalism.

I don't think I've ever claimed we practice pure capitalism, and I have often been critical of big govt/middle class welfare.

It's not the middle class welfare to which I'm referring. It's the blatant taxpayer support of so-called free enterprise.

Take just Victoria . The railways were sold to relieve the taxpayer. The government now pays the operator mega millions to run this 'private enterprise'. It's even been suggested it's costing the taxpayer more in subsidies than it did when it was State run. Same applies to the private bus companies. All are heavily subsidised. Then there's the 'private enterprise' hospitals. There isn't one that isn't on the government teat to a greater or lesser extent. 'Private enterprise' schools. Not only heavily subsidised but are continually putting their hands out for grants. Of course no 'private enterprise' company would ever run to government when the system they kneel at the altar of turns a tad tough. Nor would anyone in primary industry ever seek a subsidy during the tough times either.

Sweden, Norway and Denmark operate largely as functional socialist countries. All seem to be doing reasonably well thank you.

 

[Max zero]

It's not the middle class welfare to which I'm referring. It's the blatant taxpayer support of so-called free enterprise.

Take just Victoria . The railways were sold to relieve the taxpayer. The government now pays the operator mega millions to run this 'private enterprise'. It's even been suggested it's costing the taxpayer more in subsidies than it did when it was State run. Same applies to the private bus companies. All are heavily subsidised. Then there's the 'private enterprise' hospitals. There isn't one that isn't on the government teat to a greater or lesser extent. 'Private enterprise' schools. Not only heavily subsidised but are continually putting their hands out for grants. Of course no 'private enterprise' company would ever run to government when the system they kneel at the altar of turns a tad tough. Nor would anyone in primary industry ever seek a subsidy during the tough times either.

Sweden, Norway and Denmark operate largely as functional socialist countries. All seem to be doing reasonably well thank you.

And how much does each public hospital/school cost the government?

The only reason that private is better funded is because of private contributions. The private systems actually subsidies the public systems.

I can't see how you could argue otherwise. In a public system the government pays 100% of the costs. In a private system a % is paid through private sources. Anyway you slice it the private systems save the government money.

 

[Taylor]

Star Trek is an excellent example for me. Yes the day to day needs are met so the competition simply moves to other spheres (achievement, rank, status). There can only be one ship captain so competition is fierce. The pressure starts from the academy, students are under massive pressure to perform from a young age.

As long as they are academic, what place is there for the people who left school at year 10 to work in a warehouse?

 

[AM]

And how much does each public hospital/school cost the government?

The only reason that private is better funded is because of private contributions. The private systems actually subsidies the public systems.

I can't see how you could argue otherwise. In a public system the government pays 100% of the costs. In a private system a % is paid through private sources. Anyway you slice it the private systems save the government money.

In a purely capitalist system the government should not be subsidising private companies - at all. That's why it's a nonsense to suggest we operate in a purely capitalist system. If it were so any company that got into difficulties would have to go to its shareholders for a bail out, increase debt, or be subject to market forces - ie go under.. But as we know many so-called capitalist enterprises are on the teat of government and those that are not have no hesitation in running to government for help when they hit a rough patch.

 

[Max zero]

As long as they are academic, what place is there for the people who left school at year 10 to work in a warehouse?

I wasn't actually endorsing it my point was more there will always be those that will be left out. Life is a competition and financial gains are just one part of it.

Those in the Star Trek universe my not be materially poor but they may be intellectually or academically poor. Do they feel equal? I suspect not.

 

[Max zero]

In a purely capitalist system the government should not be subsidising private companies - at all. That's why it's a nonsense to suggest we operate in a purely capitalist system. If it were so any company that got into difficulties would have to go to its shareholders for a bail out, increase debt, or be subject to market forces - ie go under.. But as we know many so-called capitalist enterprises are on the teat of government and those that are not have no hesitation in running to government for help when they hit a rough patch.

Who said we are in or should be in a purely capitalist system? Quote please.

The fact is if anything is on the teat of the government its public service. But very definition of being a public service they are completely beholden to the government for support.

Private hospitals and schools save the government money.

 

[AM]

Who said we are in or should be in a purely capitalist system? Quote please.

The fact is if anything is on the teat of the government its public service. But very definition of being a public service they are completely beholden to the government for support.

Private hospitals and schools save the government money.

Not sure whether you live in a parallel universe or not but the catch cry of the plutocracy is all about free market competition and that it will always sort things out. A sort corporate form of the Darwinian theory of natural selection. Has been the case for eons.

Admittedly not so overt nowadays because it has proven to be a fallacy.

Without an important socialist element the capitalist system would fail. If ever it was shown to be so it was during the GFC. And most notably in the place where capitalism is supposed to be the envy of the world - USA. Without Obama offering grants, loans or guarantees to hundreds of companies (some of the biggest corporations in the world btw) the capitalist system would have collapsed in that country. Came close anyway. Had the offers of corporate welfare not been followed throughout the west we would have hit a depression the likes of which we haven't seen for decades.

 

[Taylor]

You could argue that due to the money getting the people into positions to make the decision to bail out their former companies it was capitalism at its finest hour.

 

[Shane Hird]

I'm not about giving everything to everyone.

I'm about everyone getting 100% of the value of their work and freeing people from the fortnightly paycheck that stops them falling into poverty.

Its likely it would result in a LOT more free time for everyone though, instead of working 5 days a week in a largely unproductive manner - we would likely embrace machinery/robotics/development etc even more.

It might end up we have an entire planet of artists, athletes and scientists with a bunch of machines running the day to day (and of course people maintaining those machines, who would be paid well for it). Ultimately people may decide the very concept of wealth is redundant as we'd have such an abundance of everything. That's a cultural thing though, would need to happen over time through education and the breakup of media conglomerates who promote violence and capitalism.

So..everyone forgets about wealth and lives frugally while the fitters and turners who fix the never ending mechanical problems get paid 'well' so the can spend extra on something.

I wouldn't want that job. I want to be a painter and sit around all day smoking joints and painting awesome works of art.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

It's not the middle class welfare to which I'm referring. It's the blatant taxpayer support of so-called free enterprise.

Take just Victoria . The railways were sold to relieve the taxpayer. The government now pays the operator mega millions to run this 'private enterprise'.

Not to mention compliance officers (ticket inspectors) work for the Department of Transport, NOT Metro Trains, Yarra Trams, etc. Is there any logical reason why the Government should be employing compliance officers funded by us to raise revenue for a private corporation?

 

[The Coup]

So..everyone forgets about wealth and lives frugally while the fitters and turners who fix the never ending mechanical problems get paid 'well' so the can spend extra on something.

I wouldn't want that job. I want to be a painter and sit around all day smoking joints and painting awesome works of art.

cool. Good for you buddy

 

[The Coup]

communism would work except if abc and when xyz so yeah down with capitalism

Is this as good as it gets?

 

[The Coup]

Has communism ever worked in a practical sense at a university share house level?

Stop stealing pictures from ten year old onion articles you jackass

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Is this as good as it gets?

Yeah, I notice not a one of your opponents offer any solutions of their own. I even recall a recognition or two that the current system IS flawed, but absolutely no ideas on how to fix it.

Then again, when you wrote 'Ask a Communist' as the tread title, you kind of invited all these snipers to take potshots. Just wish they'd be more constructive in their opposition

 

[The Coup]

The current system results in catastrophic violent collapse time after time. We've been doing it since roman times.

I'm happy to answer anyone if they ask a decent question. If they're an idiot they can continue to play with their doodle.

Cuba is pretty ****ing successful right now btw.

 

[Moo]

The current system results in catastrophic violent collapse time after time. We've been doing it since roman times.

I'm happy to answer anyone if they ask a decent question. If they're an idiot they can continue to play with their doodle.

Cuba is pretty ******* successful right now btw.

Russia forgiving 32 billion in debt kinda helped

 

[manboob]

The current system results in catastrophic violent collapse time after time. We've been doing it since roman times.

I'm happy to answer anyone if they ask a decent question. If they're an idiot they can continue to play with their doodle.

Cuba is pretty ******* successful right now btw.

When was the last time you visited? It is still what I would term a "shit hole" (please don't trot out health care nor literary stats)

Communism might have a chance when all labour functions are undertaken by robots.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

In fairness manboob, the other nations in the Latin American ' hood, those who DID embrace the Will of Washington (Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras especially) aint no shining examples of progress either.

 

[Max zero]

Not sure whether you live in a parallel universe or not but the catch cry of the plutocracy is all about free market competition and that it will always sort things out. A sort corporate form of the Darwinian theory of natural selection. Has been the case for eons.

Admittedly not so overt nowadays because it has proven to be a fallacy.

Without an important socialist element the capitalist system would fail. If ever it was shown to be so it was during the GFC. And most notably in the place where capitalism is supposed to be the envy of the world - USA. Without Obama offering grants, loans or guarantees to hundreds of companies (some of the biggest corporations in the world btw) the capitalist system would have collapsed in that country. Came close anyway. Had the offers of corporate welfare not been followed throughout the west we would have hit a depression the likes of which we haven't seen for decades.

Who exactly is that rant aimed at?

Argue with the points I actually make not the imaginary figures that are in your mind.

I have never proposed pure capitalism so I don't know why you are still crying about it. What I have noted that after a certain level of communism is reached that society turns into a dystopia.

Now there are questions as to why this happens and how to prevent it (with limited success). If you have ways to keep a communist society from turning into an authoritarian nightmare feel free to share otherwise leave the rants at home.

 

[AM]

Who exactly is that rant aimed at?

Argue with the points I actually make not the imaginary figures that are in your mind.

I have never proposed pure capitalism so I don't know why you are still crying about it. What I have noted that after a certain level of communism is reached that society turns into a dystopia.

Now there are questions as to why this happens and how to prevent it (with limited success). If you have ways to keep a communist society from turning into an authoritarian nightmare feel free to share otherwise leave the rants at home.

Had you followed the thread and grasped where you came in you'd possibly connect the dots.

Nothing "imaginary" about the matters raised. Perhaps your capacity to assimilate or acknowledge them though. Or both.

Have a pleasant day.

 

[The Coup]

When was the last time you visited? It is still what I would term a "shit hole" (please don't trot out health care nor literary stats)

Communism might have a chance when all labour functions are undertaken by robots.

Ok I won't trot out the stats that show you're wrong. But only because you said please.

You have nice manners at least.

 

[manboob]

Sigh have you answered a single question in this thread?

 

[The Coup]

Sigh have you answered a single question in this thread?

all of them in fact.

 

[nut]

Communist Countries, Past and Present
Current Communist Countries: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam.

Formerly Communist countries (by current name):

• Formerly part of the Soviet Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
• Other Asian countries: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Yemen.
• Soviet-controlled Eastern bloc countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany (East), Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia.
• The Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Rep. of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.
• Africa: Angola, Benin, Dem Rep. of Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, and Mozambique

Communism has reached many parts of the world, but in most cases failed to create a stable nation. What needs to be done differently for a communist country to flourish?

Kill greedy campaigners ....... which is impossible.