Quote:
Originally Posted by TCO95
I don't quite understand your point? The party and its politics are one. In a democracy, the parties present their platforms and policies and the people choose. In communism there is only one party and the people are told what the party wants.
So join it! If you are referring to me joining a communist party then all I can say is "FAT F**KING CHANCE". I want to lessen the government's control over my life not extend it. I do not, and will never, want to live in a nanny state. Absolute control corrupts absolutely, give a politician control over your life and you will never be so completely screwed.
You know what you call a ship load of politicians on the ocean floor? A good start.
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No, this is not what communism is about. Communism has actually never been realized. A communist society is a classless society of free associated individuals who are owners of their own productive forces and products. We're not talking about a party or bureaucracy controlling everything but the cooperating people. This is people's democracy based on direct participation at any time. Do you remember any state based on such principles in the history of mankind? Me neither. A communist society should be one where people are not forced to work and remain wage slaves but to love their jobs, to feel creative and accomplish useful work, appropriate to their own skills and interests. They should also have enough free time to pursue other interests like reading and enriching their intellects in any kind. This of course does not imply barbecue parties, wasting time on sports games on tv or boozing. This is how people are kept away from important issues.
The so-called communist countries of the 20th century were not even close to communism. They had an economy based on market principles with a party and its bureaucracy controlling everything. What emerged from this system was an elite which is the ultimate opposite to every communist notion. Socialism is the transitional period between capitalism and communism and these countries were not even that. They had specific traits of a socialist state but just as the final stage known as communism, socialism is based on direct democracy, production in the hands of workers and total free speech as well. And btw, communism means abolition of the state. The Soviet Union for example was the ultimate nanny super state. That's NOT communism.
And let's take a look at our western so-called liberal democracies. Your only chance to influence this political system happens once in 4 years. But, wow, what you can do is yelling at the evil government, organize protests but, oops, you can't do anything about it. And the guys in charge have 4 years to influence your opinion through the media, so you can vote them another time and get screwed again. Besides, the political discourse is kept very limited, especially in the US where you have a two-party system. Of course, there are a couple of more parties but they're kept low in a very clever way. If you want to candidate for presidency, you need money. Lots of money. Huge corporations donations and effective public relations with simple and dumb slogans like "Yes We Can" make you become a president, so you can serve their financial interests during your office.
I like how Paul Goodman nailed the point regarding freedom of speech and democratic participation in America (and it's not too different here either):
"In America you can say anything you want - as long as it doesn't have any effect"
