[Longknife]

Lemme explain what I mean here a sec.


First off, I'll start by saying that, I never HAVE been given a clear definition of communism that wasn't blatantly against it AND had good enough backup to prove why they're so blatantly against it. At most I'd get something like "it's evil" or "it's a way for government to control the people," but I'd never actually get an explanation as to how and why it's evil, or how it works to control the people. From what I've gathered for myself so far, I've just figured it was a good idea on paper that ended up really flunking when actually put to the test. Since it was a failure, I've always just chose to look the other way when people insist on putting communism and evil in the same sentence.




Second, I was wandering around youtube like I normally do, and just came across a video titled "Why are YOU a Republican?" The video was a democratic student who had just got done watching some bill to help give financial aid for university students get turned down, and was frustrated, sad, and confused, asking republicans why they ARE republicans, seeing as the reason that bill she wanted got turned down was mainly because of the republican party. Among the comments, I found this:

republicans core values (whether all of them stick to these or not is debatable) are low taxes (i.e. GWs tax cuts throughout his terms), life not death (i.e. roe vs. wade), and equal opportunity for success for all, but no rewards and free govt. handouts for failure. the democrats believe the rich should bear the greater tax burden because they have more money, well they work harder. stealing (taxing) the rich to give to the poor (welfare, food stamps) has a name and it is called communism.

Feeling like communism was out of place there, I decided I'd see what my momma thought...cuz she my momma. O:

ZOMGTooMuchVodka sagt:
Ok so

Jane sagt:
yes?

ZOMGTooMuchVodka sagt:
Why do people always talk like communism = evil?

Jane sagt:
because, communism is different than socialism. communisim is really what george bush wants

Jane sagt:
total control over the people

ZOMGTooMuchVodka sagt:
"republicans core values (whether all of them stick to these or not is debatable) are low taxes (i.e. GWs tax cuts throughout his terms), life not death (i.e. roe vs. wade), and equal opportunity for success for all, but no rewards and free govt. handouts for failure. the democrats believe the rich should bear the greater tax burden because they have more money, well they work harder.

ZOMGTooMuchVodka sagt:
stealing (taxing) the rich to give to the poor (welfare, food stamps) has a name and it is called communism. "

Jane sagt:
nope

ZOMGTooMuchVodka sagt:
The word is tossed EVERYWHERE with a negative connotation, and I really doubt anyone in the world actually still remembers what meaning it should hold

Jane sagt:
the republicans say they aren't for higher taxes. What they do is give bigger tax breaks to the rich and let the middle class carry the financial burden

Jane sagt:
obama wants to resind some fo the huge tax breaks that bush gave to the rich so that our economy won't tank so badly

Jane sagt:
Perhaps we should look at somewhere else where they recently used the time-old bribe of tax cuts, and see how it worked. In 2000, George W. Bush, under the reasonable sounding 'compassionate conservatism', offered huge tax cuts. And he delivered. Take a look at America now. The rich are certainly richer, but the economy is in the tank, a healthy surplus has been converted into a massive deficit, a

Jane sagt:
just found this quote by an actor I was reading about. good explanation of republicans

Jane sagt:
Communism doesn't really give to the poor. they give barely enough to get by on and the powerful keep most to themselves

Basically what I've gathered is, both parties would gladly slander the other with the title of communism, and even with the title of biggest tax-giver.




So what the hell: Am I the only one that feels that some things have lost all meaning and definition, such as communism and taxes? As I said to my mom, the words are tossed EVERYWHERE with a negative connotation, and I really doubt anyone in the world actually still remembers what meaning the words should hold.


So yeah, there's the question: What is communism, and why is it SO taboo if we're in any way, any way AT ALL similar to communism for even a moment? Right now I feel like it's just a word tossed in place that's supposed to make everyone shut up and stop catching on, but in reality it's just a word for shock effect and to scare the opposing debator off. It's been tossed in there for universal health care, taxes, education, and God I dunno how many other issues. It's "evil," but it seems like no one quite knows why it's "evil."



So what is it people: What IS communism?






Yes, I realize that's more of a question, but I decided to post it in the debates forum simply because 1) I feel the community in this forum will have more to add 2) I feel a debate could stem from this, whether it be about communism, or something between the Democratic and Republican parties. (Both are welcome, since yeah, I am leaving you guys with somewhat of a loose end, here... xP ) If this thread does end up being just a simple Q&A, then wtf sorry. xD



Bonus Pretzel:

I am not a republican, but generally vote that way. It is mostly because I believe in the constitution and the founding fathers ideals, that the government should mostly stay out of the way. The people who founded this country likely would have been republican. The idea of universal health care and the government controlling everything is a communist/fascist idea, which is the idea of most democrats, I believe in freedom, choosing stuff for myself, not have the gov. choose 4 me, thats y i voteR