Q: How can communism be achieved in the US?
A: Unity of the working class will be needed. Workers will have to realize that capitalism cannot solve the problems it creates and that it is only beneficial to the few who own the factories, mines, press and government. Hopefully, we will achieve this in the voting booth; but if the capitalists attack, we will defend ourselves and our system.

Q: Can people decide what job they want in communist countries?
A: Yes, and better than under capitalism. Now, you get a job based on the education you receive, and the people you know: poor education + bad connections = a poor job, generally. Communism will allow people who have aptitudes for certain work the education--for free--to learn the skills it takes to do that work.

Q: Why would anyone be motivated to work hard under communism? If you work harder, shouldn't you get more?
A: People can learn to be motivated by working for the common good. If we help each other, we both gain. Capitalism encourages us to fight against each other for crumbs, while the very few stuff themselves on the pie.

Q: Why don't you like democracy, why is communism better?
A: Democracy and communism are not opposites. Communists believe in TRUE democracy, as opposed to our "bourgeois democracy." What that means is when you only get to choose between millionaires running for election, working class people (the vast majority of society) aren't really represented. Elections in a capitalist system are almost always decided by who can get the most corporate money. True democracy will be realized under communism because everyone will have an equal say in society.

Q: The world has never been fair, so how can the communists make it fair?
A: Fairness is a function of how wealth is distributed. Under capitalism, workers receive only a small percentage of the wealth that they create. Under socialism, workers receive a larger share. Under communism, workers (all people) will receive everything.

Q: What is the difference between communism and socialism?
A: The short answer is socialism is "from each according to their ability and to each according to their DEEDS," and communism is "from each according to their ability and to each according to their NEEDS." The longer answer is socialism is the step between capitalism and communism. Socialism still has people working for wages, therefore monetary equality has not be reached. Socialism is the society that will pave the way for a communist society by setting a foundation of co-operation and sharing of all things in common. Communism is the realization of these goals.

Q: What would be the benefits of socialism in the US?
A: Just to name a few there would be jobs for all at living wages, full equality and an end to racism, sexism and homophobia, health care for all, a right to a clean healthy environment, equal rights for immigrant workers, free public education form nursery to university, peace and solidarity.

Q: Is socialism inevitable?
A: If the human race is to survive--yes, it is. Capitalism cannot solve the problems it creates. For example, the capitalists want to pay workers less and less so they can have more and more for themselves. But when the workers have less, they can buy less, which means the capitalist end up with less as a result. It's a vicious circle that has no solution under capitalism.

Q: Does socialism automatically end exploitation, racism, sexism and homophobia?
A: No. These societal ills are products of capitalism, but they will not vanish immediately with socialism. They have been around for centuries, and will take generations of the humanistic system of socialism and a constant struggle to cure. But, socialism will make ending these problems possible, while capitalism encourages them. At the same time, we can't wait until "after the revolution" to fight these ills. The fight against exploitation, racism, sexism and homophobia is a crucial part of the struggle for socialism.

Q: How can you have communism and still have individual freedom?
A: By limiting bureaucracy, establishing human-rights laws (the CPUSA and YCL have always advocated bill-of-rights socialism), and reminding all workers that they need to remain involved in union and civic activities.

Q: How free are the people in communist countries? What kind of rights do they have? Can they think for themselves and make their own choices?
A: These things vary according to each socialist country. Generally, no one has the right to become wealthy or spread capitalistic propaganda. In capitalist countries, we have only illusions of freedom and democracy because the media is owned by only a few corporations and the political campaigns are financed by the billionaires.

Q: Are there taxes in communist countries?
A: Generally no. However some socialist countries levy taxes on corporations and
wealthy individuals.

Q: How can people get ahead in a communist country?
A: Ahead of whom? Under capitalism, people get ahead of other people. Many poor
and working class people in this country consider putting food on the table being
ahead of the game. Under socialism, and eventually communism, all people get ahead
together with basic necessities and luxuries

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“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois

First of all, I like the idea of economic equality in theory. However, these are the unfortunate facts about humanity. First, we are basically selfish. From instinct we work for ourselves and our empathy extends only to a limited number of people. A fundamental change in human nature would therefore be required for voluntary communal living. The alternative is a state-controlled economy. Money is power. Communists recognize that to the extent that money is sometimes used for exploitation. Therefore, total state control of the economy equals total state control. Another law of human nature is that power corrupts. Such power will inevitably be abused in terms of human rights (Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot). Moreover, once a government is given that level of power, it has no obligation to fulfill its promises. That means that Communist governments gradually cease their egalitarian aims and move rightward fiscally, creating a wealthy class of bureaucrats while still claiming to represent workers. Modern China comes to mind in this regard. I have no doubt that many Communists (yourself included) genuinely want to help humanity, but the plain fact is that communism just doesn't work on a large scale. George Orwell's Animal Farm is an excellent commentary on communism. I can see in your profile that you're 15. I'm 20, and I've gone through multiple changes ideologically in the last five years, and given my former socialist leanings, I understand where you're coming from. I've learned to be more practical in time. Best wishes.

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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

Man is naturally good but capitalism corrupts him. You also forgot the plan to cut party beuracracy seeing as to how we've studied Russia's & China's mistakes and can fix and improve on them. The only reason China got that way is because of western influence which lead to capitalist corruption in society and in the party; the state only allowed that to happen because Mao was dead and not their to stop them or rise the masses against them. Cuba is proof that socialism can work.

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“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois

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"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV)

You'd get better health care if you do.

I've actually been to Cuba. The statement that it "works" in Cuba is the silliest thing I have ever heard. It's so blatantly wrong it may be the single most inaccurate post in quite some time. Practically nothing works in Cuba.

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This space for rent.

But Tropico. Things work in Tropico, el presidente.

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"It's never over... BOY!"
The Tall Man, Phantasm III

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This space for rent.

Cuba has free health-care & superior education compared to America, the only problem is the American embargo which has scared every other nation into staying away from Cuba. You also forgot about Hugo Chavez and his nations success.

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“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois

Schwarz: I agree with you on most things you've said but why do we need to go socialist before communist? Why not instead of a brief period under a socialist oligarchy we just organize into communes and/or local soviets straight away?

Force: Your confusing communism with socialism. Communism where no leader has lead it has worked. Take the Spanish revolution or the communes set in the Ukraine before they were crushed by the red army. Genuine was equality was achieved in both cases and only collapsed because of invasion.

Communism was never meant to work on a large scale, it was meant to work on a communal scale, which is does. The only trick needed is linking up the communes into a federation. It's been done but it's been done by Anarchists not communists.

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What's this i hear bed? Word has it you and Pam are sleeping together.