Communism (among other things) more popular than US Congress

[Ocean Seal]

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/11/20/irs-and-communism-now-more-popular-than-current-republican-congress/

I'm sure many people wrote it down as a joke, because BP is more popular than communism and well that's just fucked up. But hey 11% isn't bad for us.

[ZeroNowhere]

The best part of this thread's title is the 'among other things'.

[The Douche]

Considering what "communism" is to the people who answered yes, I'm not sure if I should be excited or scared.

[socialistjustin]

Who are the 9% who approve of congress? It's like those commercials where 9 out of 10 dentists agree the mouthwash is good. Who is the fucking idiot who said it wasn't good? Who are the fucking idiots who approve of congress?

[NewLeft]

Who are the 9% who approve of congress? It's like those commercials where 9 out of 10 dentists agree the mouthwash is good. Who is the fucking idiot who said it wasn't good? Who are the fucking idiots who approve of congress?

The 1% and the rest don't live in the US.

[TheRed]

Who are the fucking idiots who approve of congress?

The exeptionsly rich who aren't effected by the governments stupid decisions.

[norwegianwood90]

I think this survey only demonstrates the intelligence (or lack thereof) of a large portion of the American populace. Most Americans probably equate "communism" with the Stalin-era Soviet Union. The American public isn't consistent; the United States "going communist" is more popular than Congress, while Fidel Castro is less popular than Congress.

[socialistjustin]

They are being consistent as Castro's Cuba is not communist or socialist.

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

Well, this is bad.....

[Ocean Seal]

I think this survey only demonstrates the intelligence (or lack thereof) of a large portion of the American populace. Most Americans probably equate "communism" with the Stalin-era Soviet Union. The American public isn't consistent; the United States "going communist" is more popular than Congress, while Fidel Castro is less popular than Congress.
Yes, I'm sorry for the American populace not being intelligent enough to read Marx and develop a full critique of him. Maybe the proletariat can stop being stupid and finish capital after they are done working their third job, or waiting on soup kitchen lines. Yep, its important that they become intelligent so someone like you can lead them away from capitalist hell. People aren't stupid if they don't know what communism is. For the average working class person, knowing all about communism certainly isn't a priority.

[norwegianwood90]

They are being consistent as Castro's Cuba is not communist or socialist.

My point is that they're likely to identify as communist everything the US government and media tells them is communist: China, the USSR, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, etc.

[norwegianwood90]

Yes, I'm sorry for the American populace not being intelligent enough to read Marx and develop a full critique of him. Maybe the proletariat can stop being stupid and finish capital after they are done working their third job, or waiting on soup kitchen lines. Yep, its important that they become intelligent so someone like you can lead them away from capitalist hell. People aren't stupid if they don't know what communism is. For the average working class person, knowing all about communism certainly isn't a priority.

I'm not a Vanguardist. I just have little faith in America's ability to rise above McCarthyist-era propaganda when it comes to communism.

[socialistjustin]

I'm not a Vanguardist. I just have little faith in America's ability to rise above McCarthyist-era propaganda when it comes to communism.

Then why even be a communist? If Americans can't rise above propaganda then we might as well give up, no?

[norwegianwood90]

Then why even be a communist? If Americans can't rise above propaganda then we might as well give up, no?

I've just been low on optimism lately. I'm surrounded by people who either think Barack Obama is a communist or people who think the Democrats are the most left-wing group in the United States. I nonetheless push on and do what I can. My apologies for being a bit of a prick.

[A Marxist Historian]

I think this survey only demonstrates the intelligence (or lack thereof) of a large portion of the American populace. Most Americans probably equate "communism" with the Stalin-era Soviet Union. The American public isn't consistent; the United States "going communist" is more popular than Congress, while Fidel Castro is less popular than Congress.

I don't know about that. I'm no great fan of Castro. I suppose he looks good compared to any other world leader, but that at the moment doesn't say much, in fact says absolutely nothing. But I'm all in favor of the US going communist.

What do Americans think of when they hear "going communist"? Not totally sure, and I'm sure that the 11% aren't totally sure either. It is more likely to reflect utter disgust at capitalism these days no matter what the alternative is than enthusiasm for gulags. An emotional reaction more than something clearly thought out, which could perfectly well go along with a low opinion of Fidel personally.

-M.H.-

[A Marxist Historian]

My point is that they're likely to identify as communist everything the US government and media tells them is communist: China, the USSR, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, etc.

And these were or are all non-capitalist regimes. Though not communist or socialist, as you can't build socialism in one country anyway. Which is or was the true source of all the problems with the Stalinist governments in these countries.

-M.H.-