APP - Marxism - What is it really?

[T. A. Gardner]

Um.... a.... isn't that what I said?

Not exactly. You tied your statement to productivity. I expanded it to the whole nature of humanity. In other words, Marxism / Communism doesn't just destroy productivity, it destroys people. It crushes the soul.

 

[Ross Dolan]

"Monarchial" is defined as Related to a monarchy or monarch. There is no difference.

There is a difference. The are spelled differently for one. In any case, the point I wanted to make is that some people crave to be a dictator...some crave to be a monarch. Napoleon for one.

I can think of others.

I would say that's true to an extent. From each according to their ability. To each according to their needs. That would imply some equal distribution baseline on things like food, clothing, shelter, and the like. The problem becomes any "needs" beyond that. Then you end up with the question of who deserves what and how much and as we've seen, that ends up being a small oligarchy that runs things deciding among themselves what everyone gets, which is mostly they get everything.

If you are saying that you do not want a socialistic nation...I agree. As I said, I am a apitalist...one who at one point in his life worked on The Street. But I do not share your disdain for socialism...or for the ability of a socialistic nation to prosper. And I consider the negatives of unfettered capitalism to be no less dangerous to humanity than the negatives of unfettered socialism.

I'd agree. Europe and much of the West is too Socialized in my opinion. The way I see it is Socialism in society should provide the bare minimum for everyone. Beyond that, you provide for yourself--that is you participate in the economy and that economy is Capitalist in nature.

I sort of agree with your view of what I said, but not completely. This is because of a view I have about the work force that you do not share. We can discuss that, but I am interested in acknowledgement that because of the stance I am taking, it is not appropriate or proper to suggest that I am a socialist. I am far to the left of the political system, but I argue that one can be very far left and still be a champion of capitalism and free enterprise.

Can we agree on that?

I can agree to that. What I want is that those with much more cannot manipulate the system to keep those who aren't in that group from entering.

Great...and I would go a step further with a reminder that during relatively recent times, we have seen the kinds of reactions that can occur when the divide between wealth ownership becomes excessive. France in the late 18th century and Russia during the early 20th century are examples of citizenry, normally very (excessively) compliant...turning against what they legitimately feared, and overturning it.

I could imagine it happening here. I do not see any way that people like Trump, Murdoch, Musk, and the Waltons will ever be satisfied with the share of the pie they own. They will always be trying to gain more...even crumbs. And the battle to be THE RICHEST will cause that ever rising line of disparity to increase.

So...to move on! I am hoping you can agree to my ask in my third paragraph here. If so, I would like to discuss something I alluded to in my second paragraph response.