Is it possible to repair the damage of communism without first addressing the human soul and the community understanding of virtue? Without that critial step, the system merely lurches from one feckless tyrant to another. One thief stealing from the impoverished followed by the next in it to get his share.
Without a question, no. When I first started working in the FSU, there was a pervading sense of despair and directionless. The commies made some very big promises about creating a paradise on earth and, well, that didn’t really work out, did it.
As humans, we have an almost unlimited ability to do stupid things over and over
So true. Communism and socialism don't work when you include the entire population. There will always be those who entreprenurial tendencies and skills will rebel against it. For those without that much ambition, skill, or courage, the kibbutz model seems to work very well. It houses and feeds those who live on the edge of competence or satisfies those who just want a job and to come home and relax in front of the screen or engage in a hobby or social activity. Just as average, American working class people do. If it weren't for the language barrier and my need to get home to my aging father, I would've stayed on the kibbutz. It's pace and lifestyle suited me and thousands of other people whose membership in this institution became the backbone of Israeli survival and success. Sadly, the kibbutzim paid the price of entreprenurial growth. They took out loans to enlarge their production capacities, a good thing, but fell victim to the same jackassery in the financial system that everyone did. It was so bad, the Israelis thought it necessary to rename/reorganize their currency. Gee, instead of calling them lira, we'll call them sheckles and everything will hum again like a well-oiled machine ... until the next fubar. The kibbutz is still a good option here in the US for those who hunger for a socialist way of life. If they organize the "communes" as well as the Israelis did/do, they just might make it ... but only in small communities integrated into the capitalist system. It ain't perfect, and even the Mormons tried it without success, but ... well after this upcoming crash when the whole world joins hands and dances the hora into hell, we'll see what we can do.
Very thoughtful, Sue. That last line kills me. Yes, by all means, let's all hold hands and dance in a circle. That will fix everything. We are subject to a lot of candle-light vigils and hand-holding here in Santa Cruz. Since 1962. Does it change anything?
I remember when the 82 flood filled the beaches with driftwood. People swarmed to the beach and built huge bonfire with it all, then danced around the fires ... or so I've heard from friends who lived nearby. It was a primitive rite to shoo away the terror, pain of loss, and dread of future difficulties. But your questions rings loud for me. There is that little voice that urges me to join demonstrations. I certainly feel the passion to do so, but then I measure the damage that would do to my marriage against the changes the might result in the government as the people raise their fists in rage. Nothing really changes and our government comtinues to fail us.
Is it time to also admit that Islam cannot be done right? What are the globalists thinking? Is it they just postponing the inevitable? I experienced the milder version of Marxist socialism in Poland. The result was “empty shelves” and more that my parents shielded me from.
I remember feeling delighted by that photo in the past, but somehow didn't absorb the heavy reality of this piece. Are there any places where you saw a version of "done right?" Sometimes I think humans aren't capable.
Oh, man. That wonderful photo says it all, Switter. What a life you have had. I would love to borrow that photo for a tiny piece of ( no doubt) silly fiction.
Is it possible to repair the damage of communism without first addressing the human soul and the community understanding of virtue? Without that critial step, the system merely lurches from one feckless tyrant to another. One thief stealing from the impoverished followed by the next in it to get his share.
Without a question, no. When I first started working in the FSU, there was a pervading sense of despair and directionless. The commies made some very big promises about creating a paradise on earth and, well, that didn’t really work out, did it.
As humans, we have an almost unlimited ability to do stupid things over and over
So true. Communism and socialism don't work when you include the entire population. There will always be those who entreprenurial tendencies and skills will rebel against it. For those without that much ambition, skill, or courage, the kibbutz model seems to work very well. It houses and feeds those who live on the edge of competence or satisfies those who just want a job and to come home and relax in front of the screen or engage in a hobby or social activity. Just as average, American working class people do. If it weren't for the language barrier and my need to get home to my aging father, I would've stayed on the kibbutz. It's pace and lifestyle suited me and thousands of other people whose membership in this institution became the backbone of Israeli survival and success. Sadly, the kibbutzim paid the price of entreprenurial growth. They took out loans to enlarge their production capacities, a good thing, but fell victim to the same jackassery in the financial system that everyone did. It was so bad, the Israelis thought it necessary to rename/reorganize their currency. Gee, instead of calling them lira, we'll call them sheckles and everything will hum again like a well-oiled machine ... until the next fubar. The kibbutz is still a good option here in the US for those who hunger for a socialist way of life. If they organize the "communes" as well as the Israelis did/do, they just might make it ... but only in small communities integrated into the capitalist system. It ain't perfect, and even the Mormons tried it without success, but ... well after this upcoming crash when the whole world joins hands and dances the hora into hell, we'll see what we can do.
Very thoughtful, Sue. That last line kills me. Yes, by all means, let's all hold hands and dance in a circle. That will fix everything. We are subject to a lot of candle-light vigils and hand-holding here in Santa Cruz. Since 1962. Does it change anything?
I remember when the 82 flood filled the beaches with driftwood. People swarmed to the beach and built huge bonfire with it all, then danced around the fires ... or so I've heard from friends who lived nearby. It was a primitive rite to shoo away the terror, pain of loss, and dread of future difficulties. But your questions rings loud for me. There is that little voice that urges me to join demonstrations. I certainly feel the passion to do so, but then I measure the damage that would do to my marriage against the changes the might result in the government as the people raise their fists in rage. Nothing really changes and our government comtinues to fail us.
A six million year tradition of conflict and violence since the dawn of mankind on this green earth. No hay remedio.
Verdad!
Is it time to also admit that Islam cannot be done right? What are the globalists thinking? Is it they just postponing the inevitable? I experienced the milder version of Marxist socialism in Poland. The result was “empty shelves” and more that my parents shielded me from.
https://barrylederman.substack.com/p/ebrief-from-life-2-empty-shelves?r=o30r9&utm_medium=ios
I remember feeling delighted by that photo in the past, but somehow didn't absorb the heavy reality of this piece. Are there any places where you saw a version of "done right?" Sometimes I think humans aren't capable.
Oh, man. That wonderful photo says it all, Switter. What a life you have had. I would love to borrow that photo for a tiny piece of ( no doubt) silly fiction.