Can anyone recommend a good biography of Vladimir Lenin?

[Howlin Mad Missy]

where is Miles when you need him?

[CFH]

where is Miles when you need him?

Miles isn't a communist, he just likes to argue.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

where is Miles when you need him?

Miles isn't a communist, he just likes to argue.

what's Lyles excuse?

[Gandalf]

No, I'm not really much of a communist. I think I read a book or two in my undergraduate days, but that's over a decade ago, so I have no idea about particular authors.

And I don't like to argue so much, but I will put forth my opinion if I disagree with someone.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

It's like the Bat sign went off!

[CFH]

where is Miles when you need him?

Miles isn't a communist, he just likes to argue.

what's Lyles excuse?

A lack of relevant education and a low IQ?

j/k Lyle. Maybe.

[Nameless]

I did read a fair bit about Lenin in a couple of books, not that I am a communist, more of a geek and very curious by nature. Read mostly about his philosophy and tad about his history in general, do you absolutely want his biography or?

[El Kabong]

what's Lyles excuse?

For what? Arguing with people who are wrong or enjoying freedom, liberty, and a better socioeconomic status than all of the average people living in communist countries?

Why does everyone being LOWERED to the same level sound so good to some people

[CFH]

what's Lyles excuse?

For what? Arguing with people who are wrong or enjoying freedom, liberty, and a better socioeconomic status than all of the average people living in communist countries?

Why does everyone being LOWERED to the same level sound so good to some people

I don't mean to derail this fine thread, but in my personal construction of socialism its about everyone having something, not about everyone having the same standard. I'm all for competition and wealth etc., but I'm also for raising the quality of life for those in society who have the least. That's all I'll say on the subject because I don't want to spark a debate here.

[Gandalf]

what's Lyles excuse?

For what? Arguing with people who are wrong or enjoying freedom, liberty, and a better socioeconomic status than all of the average people living in communist countries?

Why does everyone being LOWERED to the same level sound so good to some people

I don't mean to derail this fine thread, but in my personal construction of socialism its about everyone having something, not about everyone having the same standard. I'm all for competition and wealth etc., but I'm also for raising the quality of life for those in society who have the least. That's all I'll say on the subject because I don't want to spark a debate here.

You are playing with fire saying things like that.

[El Kabong]

I don't mean to derail this fine thread, but in my personal construction of socialism its about everyone having something, not about everyone having the same standard. I'm all for competition and wealth etc., but I'm also for raising the quality of life for those in society who have the least. That's all I'll say on the subject because I don't want to spark a debate here.

What does it teach the poor people when the "something" they have was just aquired by the government from someone who earned it and then just handed over to them and it's not due to anything the poor people have done? Kind of a hollow victory huh? Government should not be in the business of charity on an everyday basis...I can understand if natural disasters/wars/etc happen but just to give ever single day to people who don't work and don't try hard....it just enables their behavior.

There is no motivating factor to work in a socialist society or a welfare state, which is why most socialist leaders have to massacre people to keep the others "motivated".

[CFH]

I don't mean to derail this fine thread, but in my personal construction of socialism its about everyone having something, not about everyone having the same standard. I'm all for competition and wealth etc., but I'm also for raising the quality of life for those in society who have the least. That's all I'll say on the subject because I don't want to spark a debate here.

What does it teach the poor people when the "something" they have was just aquired by the government from someone who earned it and then just handed over to them and it's not due to anything the poor people have done? Kind of a hollow victory huh? Government should not be in the business of charity on an everyday basis...I can understand if natural disasters/wars/etc happen but just to give ever single day to people who don't work and don't try hard....it just enables their behavior.

There is no motivating factor to work in a socialist society or a welfare state, which is why most socialist leaders have to massacre people to keep the others "motivated".

I really don't feel like engaging in a 5-page discussion in which nothing is resolved, so I will just say that I literally agree with none of what you said.

[Cortez The Killer]

what's Lyles excuse?

For what? Arguing with people who are wrong or enjoying freedom, liberty, and a better socioeconomic status than all of the average people living in communist countries?

Why does everyone being LOWERED to the same level sound so good to some people

I don't mean to derail this fine thread, but in my personal construction of socialism its about everyone having something, not about everyone having the same standard. I'm all for competition and wealth etc., but I'm also for raising the quality of life for those in society who have the least. That's all I'll say on the subject because I don't want to spark a debate here.

Optimistic much

Trust me, there are enough people who take advantage of the system in place in America already. There are plenty of people, able bodied, lazy adults, who get by without having ever done a day's work in their life.

They take advantage of the system, get multiple welfare checks a month, etc...all of which people who are working have to pay for. The richest people in America already support the country with the taxes they pay. Granted, it still gets a bit gluttonous near the top, but the rich are always going to remain rich because the more you raise their taxes the more ways they will find to divert money so they wont have to pay them.

Communism is a "noble" ideology but has zero real world application unless run by a dictator or totalitarian government, which will always end up in extreme corruption and a high level of atrocities.

No system is perfect, but America's faux-democracy is pretty close to the top any way you look at it.

[CFH]

For what? Arguing with people who are wrong or enjoying freedom, liberty, and a better socioeconomic status than all of the average people living in communist countries?

Why does everyone being LOWERED to the same level sound so good to some people

I don't mean to derail this fine thread, but in my personal construction of socialism its about everyone having something, not about everyone having the same standard. I'm all for competition and wealth etc., but I'm also for raising the quality of life for those in society who have the least. That's all I'll say on the subject because I don't want to spark a debate here.

Optimistic much

Trust me, there are enough people who take advantage of the system in place in America already. There are plenty of people, able bodied, lazy adults, who get by without having ever done a day's work in their life.

They take advantage of the system, get multiple welfare checks a month, etc...all of which people who are working have to pay for. The richest people in America already support the country with the taxes they pay. Granted, it still gets a bit gluttonous near the top, but the rich are always going to remain rich because the more you raise their taxes the more ways they will find to divert money so they wont have to pay them.

Communism is a "noble" ideology but has zero real world application unless run by a dictator or totalitarian government, which will always end up in extreme corruption and a high level of atrocities.

No system is perfect, but America's faux-democracy is pretty close to the top any way you look at it.

I'll say the same thing to you that I said to Lyle. I respect your opinion but I strongly disagree with what you wrote. However, I have no wish to engage in a protracted argument on here. Not because I do not feel strongly about my beliefs or because I cannot intelligently articulate them, but because I find these types of argument on here to be frustrating and redundant.

I would also like to state that I am not, nor have I ever been, a communist and I do not believe in the practicality of the communist ideology. My political beliefs, though they are diverse, generally speaking are those of a social democrat and I feel this is an easily defensible ideology which, in some instances, has been proven extremely beneficial. I doubt you have any familiarity with the Canadian political system, but to put them in the local (Canadian) political context, I most frequently vote for the NDP. I hope that contextualized things.