Sheri Piersol

Interesting conversations going on here. I need a break from the current
events, so here I go with my opinions.

I believe in democracy, I believe capitalism has it's faults but overall is
the better choice. Now let me explain. Every concept is born out of
idealism, what "could be". It often does not properly account for human
nature. People are greedy and selfish by nature and it is wrong (in my
opinion) to try and deny it individuals and society. That greed can be used
to help fuel the whole. On the other hand we are also generous and selfless,
and that can be used to help the whole.

" We do
know that communism works in small groups."

This is very true, a small example is even in the Bible, with the early
church. However, I believe it breaks down in larger groups because we can
not eliminate the eliment of greed and those who desire power in all.

"The basic premise of communism is give by commitment, take by need. To
give
by commitment, people must believe that their society, commune, family,
whatever the group is important to them and they are important to it."

Which is why it can work in small groups, but begins to fall apart in larger
groups. Not all people hold the same beliefs and cna not be forced to.

"In communism, the society must meet the needs of the people."

Even in communism there must be a group of people "in charge" who must
decide the needs of the many....so the choices of the individual are taken
away and a small group of individuals can not meet the needs of the masses.
Much the same way a teacher can not meet all the needs of her students in a
large classroom.

"It cannot be
dictated by the few or the powerful or the entire society would fall apart."

This makes no sense to me, who decides where the resources go? Even the most
kind hearted person can turn greedy when faced with shortage. They people
deemed most needed by the society will get fed, clothed, medical attention,
ect. before those that deemed less needed.


"That is why it cannot move through socialism and that is why
"communism-lite", as I think of the common perception in the U.S. of
communism, is unworkable."

To me communism on a large scale is unworkable even in it's pure form. Human
kind is fallable.

" Also, communism isn't about "social programs". It is about getting rid of
wages all together."

Aah...much like Star Trek NG, haha, I am a scifi nut. The big problem with
this is that no one desires to clean the toilets. No one wants to do the
ugly jobs. In our society we do it to earn the money. However take the money
equation out and who does the nasty jobs? If you can not get people to scrub
toilets or whatever then how is it handled? Do you force people into
undesirable jobs? Even more freedom would be taken from the individual. Do
you entice with "extra benefits"? This could cause serious problems with the
theory of equality for all.


"do and be more....what?"

Whatever they strive to be... in this country an out of work maid can become
the owner of her own company. (my mother) I am a housewife and mother, which
in my readings isn't desirable in communism because it isn't for the
greater good. I desire to be more and plan to open my own business. I am
striving to be more than I am, but enjoying being all that I am, too.

Well, there you have it, my thoughts. Communism is idealistic and works on
small scales, but can not work on larger scales because it doesn't account
for the way we humans really are. Socialism is another issue, I might
comment on later...but this is too long as it is. :)

~Sheri