Thursday • 14-Jun-2007 • 10:40 am • # 12650 • 19-12S-OW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • other ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia, other ••• Genuine socialism is • other ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • other Socialism is an economic system based on strong national strength, and communism(economically) is completely controlled by the party, or as you may call it, the "working class". They're a quite a bit defferent. And if you do not have a police force,how do you ensure crime stays minimal. Don't say it's because capitalist greed is destroyed that crime will fall- that's not what all crimes about. A substantial amount is from, wait for it......... Get this, cultural activity! Is it not true that capitilist ideas have made us a richer nation? As a Communist would say, slavery gave way to feudalism and thus to capitalism. But did we not have slavery and capitalism simultaneously! And the 3 all had similar parts too eachother(more or less), and communism has no evolutionary form or similarity to capitalism, although it might to slavery. Considering we lose rights to ownership,barter, and corportism, i'd say we are a little less free, which is what I thought communists wanted! Did the Russians not revolt to cow away from the thought of a ruthless monarchy, did the German social democrats not shout and scream in the name of Freiheit! They were deluded enough to believe such a system could offer! They lose they're rights to property/oppurtunity because of it, because you believe democracy makes up for it, which it sadly does not. It's not even a balanced democracy, which we had proudly achieved! If those communist nations called themselves communists, they obviosly knew what they were-and you, 1 person, argue agaisnt nations in your defintion! The anarcho-Lenin way is of blimd arroga ... [read the rest of this lengthy post]

Thursday • 14-Jun-2007 • 8:36 am • # 12649 • 15-51O-IW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by a corrupt bureaucracy ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • other ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Thursday • 14-Jun-2007 • 7:12 am • # 12648 • 35-20H-VJ [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

hello Wednesday • 13-Jun-2007 • 10:49 pm • # 12647 • 7-32Z-MA [] • London, Germany • 32 • • poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

hello Wednesday • 13-Jun-2007 • 10:47 pm • # 12646 • 44-15V-MA [] • London, Germany • 32 • • poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

Wednesday • 13-Jun-2007 • 6:35 pm • # 12645 • 28-5A-ND [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

Tuesday • 12-Jun-2007 • 3:26 pm • # 12644 • 57-26T-UW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • China, Cuba, Sweden ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Communism is not bad Tuesday • 12-Jun-2007 • 10:08 am • # 12643 • 28-51R-QG [org] Nichwat • Bangkok, Thailand • 13 • Student • poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • not sure ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ I like the communist system.

Mao Monday • 11-Jun-2007 • 5:52 pm • # 12642 • 0-6T-WW [com] M • • • • poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ You can't underestimate the contributions to the communist movement of Chairman Mao Zedong. Don't confuse the China today with the China of 1949-1976.

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Sunday • 10-Jun-2007 • 8:44 pm • # 12641 • 47-23N-JW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • not sure ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

Sunday • 10-Jun-2007 • 5:22 pm • # 12640 • 98-47H-GL [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • other ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • not sure ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

Communism and human nature The self-organizing moneyless economy of the future will unleash the full potential of human initiative and the striving for happiness     Many who post here argue that communism will never be possible because of "human nature". The essence of this false argument is the belief that a communist society would consist of an all-powerful central government that would tell everybody what to do--and would therefore undermine the creative initiative of individuals and the search for happiness.     • This argument is based on two false assumptions: (1) It assumes that a communist society will look like the former Soviet Union, or the current China, North Korea, etc (ie: corrupt police states with a feudal-style ruling class) (2) It assumes that people will only work in order to own bigger and bigger piles of commodities.     • The truth is that: (1) There will be no government in communist society--people will do what they want without being pushed around by anyone. The development of a corrupt police state or a new ruling class will be prevented by the struggles of the masses who will be armed with the weapon of transparency. (2) In a world of abundance for all no one will have to struggle (or even work) for the necessities of life (which will be a birthright--just like the air we all breathe). People will work on projects of their own choosing because (a) they find the work fun and interesting; (b) they enjoy the work relationships with talented and dedicated co-workers; (c) they want to make the world a better place; or (d) they want social status and recognition. A world of abundance for all where work is fun (and voluntary) will be made possible by a much higher productivity of human labor.     • An example of communist work relationships is provided by the Linux computer operating system--the core of which was created by many thousands of people--all working for free. A 2nd example is the "work" involved when people post to this board. No one gets paid to post here--but people do so--because it is an expression of their principles and convictions.     • Who is in control? Under capitalism (and previous economic systems such as feudalism and slavery) only a small fraction of the population has control over their conditions of work--and the life of society as a whole. Only under genuine communism will the masses control their conditions of work--and the culture, economy and politics of society. • (Ben Seattle • Dec 2003)

Saturday • 9-Jun-2007 • 5:48 pm • # 12639 • 12-9H-MD [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • Cuba, former Yugoslavia ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • other ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Friday • 8-Jun-2007 • 6:22 pm • # 12638 • 3-57S-KW [] poll response: ••• Communism is • other ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Yugoslavia ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie)

The Self-Organizing Moneyless Economy     The first scientific speculation on how a communist economy and political system will function in the 21st century. Featuring brief sketches of the organization of political, cultural and economic life in a future where all authority flows from principles that have been distributed universally and are part of everyone's internal compass rather than institutions which are external to the individual and which use one or another form of carrot or stick.     The future communist economy, based on the principle of from each according to his ability, to each according to his need, will not be based on the market, money, capital, commodities or wages (ie: the economy will not be based on exchange or trade of any kind) nor will there exist any kind of supreme central authority telling everyone what to do.     All work and all economic actions will be voluntary (ie: gifts freely given without strings attached--nor expectations of reciprocity). The communist economy will consist of myriad self-organizing assemblies of economic units in competition with one another to most efficiently transform skilled labor and other resources into forms of social wealth serving the the material and cultural needs of the masses. (1995)

Friday • 8-Jun-2007 • 12:27 pm • # 12637 • 95-50A-VL [org] poll response: ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie)

Response Thursday • 7-Jun-2007 • 8:50 pm • # 12636 • 66-35W-SW [org] Adam • Thomson, USA • 20 • Foreign Language major • poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, North Korea ••• Genuine socialism is • not sure ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ Great site, although I do think China and Russia exhibit mostly communistic practices.

Politics, Economics and the Mass Media when the working class runs the show After the overthrow of bourgeois rule, during the period of transition to a communist economy ...     • Will there be elections?     • The three economic sectors       (private capitalist, state capitalist, gift economy)     • The evolution of the mass media       (commercial media, state media, free media)

Thursday • 7-Jun-2007 • 1:15 pm • # 12635 • 5-41V-CJ [org] Wiesmann • Berlin, Germany • 19 • Student • poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • not sure ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ -

Thursday • 7-Jun-2007 • 12:58 pm • # 12634 • 74-10B-LD [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

A scenario for the overthrow of bourgeois rule in the U.S. in the middle of the 21st century Here is one way events may unfold ... 1. The digital fire • 2. Electoral victory • 3. Economic retaliation 4. Workers stand firm • 5. Attempted decapitation • 6. Workers' movement resilient 7. Bourgeoisie paralyzed • 8. Workers' victorious • 9. Stable workers' state

Tuesday • 5-Jun-2007 • 5:07 pm • # 12633 • 72-55F-JD [org] Feng • Sai Gon, Viet Nam • 22 • • poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Yugoslavia, Sweden, has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • other ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie)

Rise of the Selvenist Party Monday • 4-Jun-2007 • 11:53 am • # 12632 • 99-33U-IW [] Carson • stockton, US • 16 • McDonalds • poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• Genuine socialism is • other ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • everybody, in a democratic way To me communism is a evil government for people to make them think they are the most important people of all. But, my government Selvenism, is a new government that i created, its a government that combines all the governments except for communism and fascism. This government allows a dictator who does whats best for his people, obeys his people, and allows only a senate and abolishes Congress. Also, those who seen a republic dictatorship or heard of that, its mostly what it is but, combined with all of them. The Selvenist Party (ones who follow Selvenism), have goals to make Selvenism the "perfect government to live in", plus they believed that communist,fascist, and the high class (rich people), must be eliminated immediatly to make a perfect working and middle class. And this is what my government, Selvenism is.

The Future Transparent Workers' State Will a workers' state be a brutal police state or a machine controlled by workers? Are we paralyzed by fear of violent and brutal repression? Or defiant, courageous and determined to win victory with mass-based information war? • Who's afraid of "red fascism"? • The solution to the crisis of theory • Thermador vs. Transparency • Mass-based information war • Why "censorship by filter" is doomed to fail • Productivity of labor inseparable from revolution in communications • How the bourgeois political machine undermines the independence of the mass oppositional movements

Sunday • 3-Jun-2007 • 1:07 pm • # 12631 • 70-42H-OW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

Saturday • 2-Jun-2007 • 2:14 pm • # 12630 • 88-3S-RV [com] Martin • Switzerland • 21 • • poll response: ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • not sure ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class hi i´m a leftist too (although i tend towards social democracy). i just wondered how a classless society could be ruled by the working class... when there are no more classes? thanx.

Want to see the overthrow of bourgeois rule?   Do you have what it takes to be part of the pof-200 discussion list ?  Determination  •  Humility  •  Militancy  •  Maturity

Friday • 1-Jun-2007 • 6:37 pm • # 12629 • 55-23F-SN [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • other ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • Sweden ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ I'm very curious about communism. I've read the communist manifesto by Marx and started & admittedly gave up reading Das Capital. I believe that communism is a brilliant idea in general and that i also agree with many of it's principles, but i think there is a lot of room for improvement from what Karl Marx originally stated. Firstly, it is very hard to create a communist republic without creating a dictatorship/one party state; the people can't run themselves because if this happened society would degenerate into chaos. What would be good if is a different kind of democracy was made; where the equivalent of Britain's house of commons would be made up of individuals voted by the parliament and that the house of lords would be made up of people chosen at random every so often (meetings could take place via e-mail in the current situation).

Friday • 1-Jun-2007 • 4:25 am • # 12628 • 17-31C-WW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • other ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • not sure ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

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Friday • 1-Jun-2007 • 2:46 am • # 12627 • 91-45A-CW [] poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • not sure ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Friday • 1-Jun-2007 • 2:39 am • # 12626 • 53-49X-OD [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, other ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

The cyberLeninist Manifesto The principle that "information wants to be free" fits Leninism like a bullet does a rifle in what turns out to be the ultimate nightmare for the bourgeoisie. Leninism, as a continuation of the practical and theoretical work of Karl Marx, had two stages in the period that Lenin was alive. The period from Lenin's death to approximately the present time has represented the third stage of Leninism. Now, as the coming revolution in digital communications promises to link-up class-conscious workers in every country, we are entering the fourth stage. (Oct 1996) Leninism I • (1896-1917) • Building a party that withstood repression and fought emergent social-democracy Leninism II • (1917-1923) • State power under harsh conditions Leninism III • (1924 -- approximately today) • Leninism in the hands of its enemies Leninism IV • (after the fall of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the internet) • Classical Leninism plus "information wants to be free"

Thursday • 31-May-2007 • 10:36 pm • # 12625 • 95-47H-DW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ

Thursday • 31-May-2007 • 11:11 am • # 12624 • 45-54S-AW [com] Josef • • • • poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

How to Build the Party of the Future By continuing our political development and harnessing the power of the coming revolution in communications--we can help to lay the foundation for a communist "trend of trends" with the ability to eradicate sectarianism from our ranks, puncture the influence of reformism over a vast audience, capture the imagination of workers in their millions and mobilize our class to ignite a fire that cannot be extinguished     The coming revolution in communications, now in its earliest stages, is already beginning to demonstrate its potential to influence the development and interaction of Marxist (and would-be Marxist) organizations. In the next decade or so, the communications revolution holds promise to completely transform the "left ecosystem" at present consisting predominantly of squabbling sectarian grouplets, craven reformists and the just-plain confused. In place of this will likely emerge a dynamic and powerful system of communist organizations which will both compete and cooperate with one another ... (May 1997, unfinished, deals with principles and history of international communist movement)

Thursday • 31-May-2007 • 5:32 am • # 12623 • 0-53K-IW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • everybody, in a democratic way

Wednesday • 30-May-2007 • 7:44 pm • # 12622 • 9-7E-VL [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery

1917 was the beta version What are the decisive tasks today to rebuild a communist movement worthy of the name ? 1. working to create a web-based news service without copyright that would be open to all trends 2. focusing discussion on the system of workers' rule as it will exist in modern conditions     (Nov 1997)

American living in Russia Wednesday • 30-May-2007 • 5:36 pm • # 12621 • 91-32K-JW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • other ••• The Soviet Union was • other ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • other ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • other I just don't see how anyone can still be a Communist. I don't think that the Soviet Union, Cambodia, China, and all the other "communist" countries were really what Marx wanted, but I think they are inevitable due to Marx's misunderstanding of human nature. I am sure you have heard this a thousand times, but I am still waiting for an example of a state that tried to implement Marx's ideas that did not result in a totalitarian state with a political elitist class. I think that this is a sign of how unpractical this ideology is.

Monday • 28-May-2007 • 7:27 pm • # 12620 • 85-27Z-OU [] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • Cuba ••• Genuine socialism is • other ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Want to see the overthrow of bourgeois rule?   Do you have what it takes to be part of the pof-200 discussion list ?  Determination  •  Humility  •  Militancy  •  Maturity

Monday • 28-May-2007 • 3:09 pm • # 12619 • 16-6A-FW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia

Sunday • 27-May-2007 • 8:03 pm • # 12618 • 33-40B-NL [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia, Sweden, has never existed, not sure, other ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by a corrupt bureaucracy ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • other ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

How will economics, politics and culture work when the working class runs modern society? Working class rule has never existed in a modern, stable society. However it will emerge triumphant in the 21st century. How will a workers' state suppress the former ruling bourgeoisie without also suppressing the independent political life of workers? (Apr 2001)

Sunday • 27-May-2007 • 1:17 am • # 12617 • 64-7C-ZD [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • not sure ••• Genuine socialism is • not sure ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • everybody, in a democratic way

Saturday • 26-May-2007 • 3:46 am • # 12616 • 22-12V-JD [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • not sure ••• Genuine socialism is • not sure ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Seventeen Theses • Includes 9 theses on the Emerging Revolution in Communications and its Significance for the Awakening of Proletarian Political life and Consciousness (a fairly concentrated summary of Ben's views on our tasks in the coming period of transparency and information war) • Includes poll and bulletin board   (July 2001)

Friday • 25-May-2007 • 10:18 pm • # 12615 • 88-24N-SW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Friday • 25-May-2007 • 7:13 am • # 12614 • 69-0E-CR [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • everybody, in a democratic way ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

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Friday • 25-May-2007 • 4:20 am • # 12613 • 91-15P-CO [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie)

Friday • 25-May-2007 • 4:11 am • # 12612 • 30-22V-JD [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • a monstrous system of slavery ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by a corrupt bureaucracy ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • everybody, in a democratic way

Finding the Confidence to Build the Future How will the working class keep supply chains running and bourgeois apologists from flooding the airwaves on the morning after bourgeois rule is broken? The crisis of theory is that we don't have a goal that makes any sense. The alternative to resolving the crisis of theory is to restrict our vision to rolling a heavy stone up a hill until the end of time. {Excerpt}   ...   But if we seek a fundamental change to the status quo--we soon run into a formidable obstacle: fundamental change to the status quo is unthinkable.     The progressive movement (even the most serious, militant sections of it) is totally incapable of coming up with any serious alternative to the present system of bourgeois rule. The alternatives we are offered are only fit for people with the mentality of children. The militant "marxists" offer us an alternative that consists, essentially, of a police state. The militant anarchists offer us only childish daydreams. This failure of the progressive movement to offer a serious alternative to the rule of the rich is called the "crisis of theory".     It is because of this crisis of theory that fundamental change to the status quo is unthinkable. No one can imagine it, picture it, visualize it, or explain it in terms that are remotely realistic--in terms that take into account the specific features of modern, economically developed societies. This is why such an alternative is unthinkable. It is impossible to think about.     (January 2003)

Friday • 25-May-2007 • 12:29 am • # 12611 • 0-50O-CW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ let's start the revolution!!!

Wednesday • 23-May-2007 • 10:41 pm • # 12610 • 19-29B-EW [] poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie)

Which way forward for the development of a powerful anti-war movement? The decisive step forward for the anti-war movement is to develop in depth so that it can give tens and hundreds of thousands a clear understanding of the class nature of our society and the need to end the rule of the bourgeoisie. • Hit them where it hurts • How to move the Democrats to the left • The need for revolutionary organizations that are deserving of the respect of the masses.   (March 2003)

Wednesday • 23-May-2007 • 4:40 pm • # 12609 • 21-4O-GW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • not sure ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • Cuba, Sweden ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Wednesday • 23-May-2007 • 8:38 am • # 12608 • 7-56D-FW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia, Sweden, has never existed, not sure ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • everybody, in a democratic way ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Want to see the overthrow of bourgeois rule?   Do you have what it takes to be part of the pof-200 discussion list ?  Determination  •  Humility  •  Militancy  •  Maturity

Tuesday • 22-May-2007 • 11:49 pm • # 12607 • 3-10X-OW [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • not sure ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I don't need to read no stinkin' FAQ

Tuesday • 22-May-2007 • 5:13 pm • # 12606 • 27-39F-JD [org] Kurbla • • • • poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, former Yugoslavia ••• Genuine socialism is • other ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • everybody, in a democratic way ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ Don't focus on words.

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Tuesday • 22-May-2007 • 11:12 am • # 12605 • 74-26W-WI [com] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie)

Tuesday • 22-May-2007 • 9:51 am • # 12604 • 10-24C-WC [com] poll response: ••• The Soviet Union was • other

Frequently Asked Questions What is communism? • What is socialism? • Where has communism or socialism existed? Communism and human nature • What happened to Lenin's 1917 revolution? • What democratic rights will workers have after the overthrow of bourgeois rule? • How will workers prevent the former bourgeoisie (or a new ruling class) from coming back to power? • What will a genuine classless, communist society look like?

Don't cheer for killers and murdurers. Monday • 21-May-2007 • 5:49 pm • # 12603 • 23-17H-OW [org] poll response: ••• Communism is • other ••• The Soviet Union was • socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by a corrupt bureaucracy ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ I find it offensive that you inist on rooting for insurgents and death squads in Iraq. I can respect your sympathy for communism, but I can't understand how you can actually be happy to read about U.S. Marines getting shot and killed. How can you sympathize for people that will mutilate and murder people just for following a different religion or a different sect of their own religion. They are the people that make Iraqi children afraid to go outside. These are the kind of people that will go out at night looking for members of rival sects to kidnap, torture, and then chop their heads off.

Sunday • 20-May-2007 • 1:15 pm • # 12602 • 23-8J-QW [org] cummunism is zionism

Sunday • 20-May-2007 • 11:03 am • # 12601 • 85-52C-ND [] poll response: ••• Communism is • the inevitable peaceful and abundant future of humankind ••• The Soviet Union was • an oppressive, exploitative, class-divided society that pretended to be socialist or communist ••• socialism exists (or existed) in • has never existed ••• Genuine socialism is • the rule of society by the working class ••• modern capitalist societies are ruled by • the rich (ie: the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie) ••• The FAQ • I have read the FAQ