My first post!

[SunnyInSoCal]

Hi, I'm 16 and from San Diego, California! I found this site through hickwithbuick on C/D fourms by clicking on one of his links. I wouldn't even come close to considering myself a communist/socialst, but I believe that the ideal economic state lies in a balance between the two opposing systems. You may ask why I joined a communist fourms. The answer is because I like to see the different opinions on the subjects.

I have a question that I want to ask the believers of communism on this board: Why was the communism under Mao and Stalin so appaling? Why all the mass genocide and hardship?

Anyway, I hope to reading and being involved in some fun and educational debates!

As always- SunnyInSoCal

[drain.you]

Welcome to RevLef, Sunny!
I've just woken up so I'll leave the questions for others to tackle.
Hope that our leftist principles rub off on you :P

[rioters bloc]

hiya! i will also leave the questions for others to tackle.

this is my 636th post! hurrah for me! *bes egotistical*

[Tekun]

^Congrats on numero 636! :D



Welcome Sunny Socal, Im also in Socal, a lil north from u - Riverside


The USSR under Stalin claimed to be communist - but in reality it was a dictatorship that manipulated and distorted Marxism to create a totalitarian state

Stalinism was a political ideology that perverted socialist beliefs and created a tyrannical regime - that went so far as to kill a fellow leader of the russian revolution, Trotsky
As u will see, very few ppl on RevLeft look up or admire Stalinism

Mao on the other hand, had a better and more responsible grasp on Marxism, yet his inability and ineffectiveness to manage the Chinese economy with "The Great Leap" during the late 50's caused many of his fellow countrymen to starve to death
^That is why his form or concept of socialism - Maoism - is challenged by many, because of the inability to run the economy

This is my best take on it, look around and Im sure your question will be answered

[Black Dagger]

The USSR under Stalin claimed to be communist - but in reality it was a dictatorship that manipulated and distorted Marxism to create a totalitarian state

The USSR never claimed to 'communist'. The bolshevik party always maintained that the USSR was a socialist state, hence, 'United Soviet Socialist [not 'communist'] Republics'.

[somebodywhowantedtoleaveandnotcomeback]

Welcome err.. "comrade". ;)
"When you have given everything, you have everything to gain."

[SunnyInSoCal]

Originally posted by [email protected] 4 2005, 10:18 AM
^Congrats on numero 636! :D



Welcome Sunny Socal, Im also in Socal, a lil north from u - Riverside


The USSR under Stalin claimed to be communist - but in reality it was a dictatorship that manipulated and distorted Marxism to create a totalitarian state

Stalinism was a political ideology that perverted socialist beliefs and created a tyrannical regime - that went so far as to kill a fellow leader of the russian revolution, Trotsky
As u will see, very few ppl on RevLeft look up or admire Stalinism

Mao on the other hand, had a better and more responsible grasp on Marxism, yet his inability and ineffectiveness to manage the Chinese economy with "The Great Leap" during the late 50's caused many of his fellow countrymen to starve to death
^That is why his form or concept of socialism - Maoism - is challenged by many, because of the inability to run the economy

This is my best take on it, look around and Im sure your question will be answered
Then another question is begging to be asked: Can communism be used on a large scale, such as China? Are there any successful communist societies? People point to Cuba, but then why are people coming over here in floating 50s Buicks?

[somebodywhowantedtoleaveandnotcomeback]

Originally posted by [email protected] 4 2005, 04:05 PM
People point to Cuba, but then why are people coming over here in floating 50s Buicks?
Because they don't care for equal rights, all they want is a big car, a big house, 4 TVs and a larger bank account than their neighbours. These are the sad traitors of the Cuban Revolution, mainly because of the years-long blockade by the US.

[Tekun]

Originally posted by Black [email protected] 4 2005, 10:47 AM

The USSR under Stalin claimed to be communist - but in reality it was a dictatorship that manipulated and distorted Marxism to create a totalitarian state

The USSR never claimed to 'communist'. The bolshevik party always maintained that the USSR was a socialist state, hence, 'United Soviet Socialist [not 'communist'] Republics'.
My bad, didn't quite catch that error :rolleyes:
But by all means, inform the new brother