Define communism for dum 'ol Lancer

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Lancer
Ok, I'm out the door. I expect complete agreement on the definition of comunism on my desktop by 6PM pacific time. That gives you almost 9 hours.

Good luck.

Communists are like snowflakes... no two are alike .

[chequita guevara]

You know, when you make comments like that, it's hard for me not to reply in kind.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui




Communists are like snowflakes... no two are alike .

Speaking of communist snowflakes, where is she?

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ned


What about the rule of law?

What about it? Are you saying the rule of law is not possible in a system of checks and balances?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
so what do you do with workers, such as myself, who refuse to give up my stuff to the commune/state?

You don't have to give up your stuff to the commune/State. You work at a job, you get paid for it. In the case of communes, the management is aco****able to you and your colleagues. In a statist scenario, the company is accountable to the State, which presumable serves the general interests of the population (which includes you)

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ned
What about the rule of law?

It will still be there.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
I'm not a maximalist. Lenin was correct, gradual is the way to go.

Remember that Lenin was talking about Russia, not a modern developed capitalist economy.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Kontiki
Your banking system is interesting - is it just a half-way step like Che proposes? Because otherwise it seems like capitalism personified - making money solely off of lending (investing) capital.

It is capitalist, and I include interest for practical reasons. No matter what your economic system is, you need a supply of money if you want to invest in a productive fashion.
However, I consider the banking system as a utility, which should be a State monopoly. As such, the modest interest rate should bring only a little extra, unless you're exceptionally wealthy.
And since I'm all for a strong inheritance tax, there will be only a few people who'll amass such fabulous wealth in their lifetime. The few Bill Gates may live off interest, but it's a price I#m willing to pay if it means there is a steady source of capital for further productive investment.

And are all companies required to be partnerships? I can't see why anyone would be the only person to risk their savings when every other person working in the company has an equal say in how those savings are used.

Me neither, which is the main reason why I favour a public banking system where it's actually interesting to save in. I think most new companies will start out as an individual venture, or as a small venture of several associates (like in today's world), and they're likely not to want to invest their own capital, but instead to have the company borrow at the State bank (unless the partners plan of remaining the only workers at their venture).
The State bank would provide cheap loans to companies that need capital (whether they be new or old), based on business models. The State bank, like all utilities, will not be in direct control of its workers, but of the State. Steps would be taken to avoid a single banker/bureaucrat from sealing the fate of a company.

[chequita guevara]

communism = free beer

[duke o' york]

Originally posted by Lancer
I always enjoyed the fact that communism eliminates corruption.

[Civ 2] It doesn't! If you get over 130 or so trade arrows in a city under communism, then you will lose one or two to corruption, but until that point, the percentage lost does not affect your trade arrows.
[/Civ 2]

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
communism = free beer

But the beer will probably end up being Budweiser or some **** .

[chequita guevara]

You know, Budweiser is the most popular beer in the world.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Which is one of the arguments AGAINST democracy .

[St Leo]

Well, you need a strong leader. Like Bush.

You need to be spreading the Revolution world-wide. Like Bush.

You need to control the media. Like Bush.

You need to establish prison camps. Like Bush.

You need to rail against a worldwide conspiracy seeking to undermine your Revolution. Like Bush.

Bush is the ultimate Communist.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Spiffor
However, I consider the banking system as a utility, which should be a State monopoly. As such, the modest interest rate should bring only a little extra, unless you're exceptionally wealthy.

You haven't explained why you need it. The govt can raise prices or just print more money.