From Another Site: My Son the Communist

[Sovietta]

My stepson is 16. He posted on his FB that he is now a communist. He is just doing it because he knows it pisses me off. I acted like I didn't care and posted the following. Then I changed his password. He had no idea I knew his password. It is still there for all his friends to see. He is really pissed off. I took the door off his bedroom. I took all his video games and stuff and set them up in the sun room for his 8 year old sister to use. He has no privacy now. Instead of giving him his weekly allowance I split it up between him and his sisters. Then I took him down to Lucky's supermarket and made him apply for a job. They hired him the next day. But told he has to bring home his paycheck every Thursday so I can split it up amongst everybody. He is not very happy. His mother is backing me up 100%. His work loan is almost unbearable for a 16 year old.

u·nism (kmy-nzm)

NOUN:

A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.

... Garrett, since you into communism-I will support you. To keep things at home in the spirit of things, all of your possessions are now shared with your sisters. You will now have to share in the workload of chores at home. All of them.

Since your mother and I are Capitalists we are exempt. Since you are the only communist at home, you get to do All the chores.

And then there was this Teen that lived it:

http://www.ironcurtainkid.com

The jokes from IronCurtainKid.com are very telling. Communism is NOT nice.

Actually capitalism is NOT nice. In capitalism, there's too many power hungry people like the kid's parents and corporations that oppress the people. Capitalism is pretty much anarchy that is not good.

If you think communism is not good, the you're thinking about Stalinism and Soviet "communism" which is state capitalism. And also, capitalists lie to their people all the time.

[Golanchia]

See, but the thing is, if he had said he was a Neo-Nazi the father wouldn't have done anything like this.

Nazism is a right wing ideology and considered less of a threat to the American way of life. Communism is a LEFT leaning ideology, and will always attract a special level of American hate because it undermines the legitimacy of capitalism, and thus the legitimacy of current and established power structures.

Nonsense - we're paranoid about our "enemies".

Nazis were our enemies.

Are you contending he would have done this if his son had become a Nazi?

[Danubia Maius]

In this thread: People who think they know what they are talking about but obviously don't to anyone with half a brain.

Get mad. Communism doesn't work and that's exactly what the parents showed to their kid. Sure, they used the even more radical, butchering of Communism as an example (i.e. any kind of communism that was actually implemented) and it really is terrible parenting, but it's painful to see people still clinging to the idea that "i-it isn't actual c-communism g-guys...!" while it really is: It is communistic in name and, although does not follow all of Marx's original theories, the basis was still there. Juuuust more authoritarian and usually has millions of people mass-murdered. Whoops. It's like how we call most western countries Liberal Democracies: They don't entirely apply (classical) Liberalism or Democracy (not direct democracy, anyways) but they still are democratic and free. Oh but no, you can't call Stalinism communism. Shameless double-standard crap right there.

tl;dr most people here need to do some learning, FAST. And more than just Marxism 101.

[The Land Fomerly Known as Ligerplace]

I don't think it would be a good idea to do this for more than a few days, the point is not to punish but to test whether he is truly dedicated or not to the belief system. I regard communism as no ordinary ideology such as liberalism or conservatism, it is at the more extreme end of the political spectrum. It would be just as disconcerting to me if he were to become say, a neo-Nazi. I don't think making him do all the work would be fair, but as I understand it; communism wants to abolish the concept of money as well.

Communism =/= getting rid of privacy, destroying social life, being forced to work, only communists need to work

"I wanted to teach my son about communism, so I turned him into a sharecropper!."

"GJ bro!"

*Flag Wave*

[Saiwania]

...I actually dont know how to argue with someone who thinks someone else should be punished merely for thought... Not even acting out your perceived idea of what you think communism is, but merely thinking about it...

Now imagine I am in a position of authority over you. I consider what you are proposing punishment for thought crime. I imagine you would find it unfair if I put you in situations emulating the conditions of 1984 for a week?

Definition of COMMUNISM (from Merriam-Webster)
1
a : a theory advocating elimination of private property
b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2
capitalized
a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d : communist systems collectively

If he believes in the collective ownership of property, then he shouldn't mind following the ideology to see whether he can stand by it or not.

[Divair]

In this thread: People who think they know what they are talking about but obviously don't to anyone with half a brain.

Get mad. Communism doesn't work and that's exactly what the parents showed to their kid. Sure, they used the even more radical, butchering of Communism as an example (i.e. any kind of communism that was actually implemented) and it really is terrible parenting, but it's painful to see people still clinging to the idea that "i-it isn't actual c-communism g-guys...!" while it really is: It is communistic in name and, although does not follow all of Marx's original theories, the basis was still there. Juuuust more authoritarian and usually has millions of people mass-murdered. Whoops. It's like how we call most western countries Liberal Democracies: They don't entirely apply (classical) Liberalism or Democracy (not direct democracy, anyways) but they still are democratic and free. Oh but no, you can't call Stalinism communism. Shameless double-standard crap right there.

tl;dr most people here need to do some learning, FAST. And more than just Marxism 101.

Except Stalinism and communism share nothing in common. At all.

Stalinism is about a state taking over everything.
Communism is about removing the state, currencies, and classes while democratizing workplaces.

[Golanchia]

Socialism is the collective ownership of the MEANS OF PRODUCTION, not collective ownership of personal property.

Jesus Christ people, get it together.

[Anarkadia]

If he believes in the collective ownership of property, then he shouldn't mind following the ideology to see whether he can stand by it or not.

Again, private ownership of the means of production and distribution does not equal personal property.

[Divair]

...I actually dont know how to argue with someone who thinks someone else should be punished merely for thought... Not even acting out your perceived idea of what you think communism is, but merely thinking about it...

Now imagine I am in a position of authority over you. I consider what you are proposing punishment for thought crime. I imagine you would find it unfair if I put you in situations emulating the conditions of 1984 for a week?

Definition of COMMUNISM (from Merriam-Webster)
1
a : a theory advocating elimination of private property
b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2
capitalized
a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d : communist systems collectively

If he believes in the collective ownership of property, then he shouldn't mind following the ideology to see whether he can stand by it or not.

Private property =/= personal property

How many times must we go over this?

[Frisivisia]

In this thread: People who think they know what they are talking about but obviously don't to anyone with half a brain.

Get mad. Communism doesn't work and that's exactly what the parents showed to their kid. Sure, they used the even more radical, butchering of Communism as an example (i.e. any kind of communism that was actually implemented) and it really is terrible parenting, but it's painful to see people still clinging to the idea that "i-it isn't actual c-communism g-guys...!" while it really is: It is communistic in name and, although does not follow all of Marx's original theories, the basis was still there. Juuuust more authoritarian and usually has millions of people mass-murdered. Whoops. It's like how we call most western countries Liberal Democracies: They don't entirely apply (classical) Liberalism or Democracy (not direct democracy, anyways) but they still are democratic and free. Oh but no, you can't call Stalinism communism. Shameless double-standard crap right there.

tl;dr most people here need to do some learning, FAST. And more than just Marxism 101.

Stalinism is not communism. True Communism has yet to be tried. We try to make the capitalists understand this but they don't listen, because supposing Stalinism is communism means they win. And they'd like to win.

Saying Stalinism is communism is like saying anarchy is capitalism.

[Wisconsin9]

...I actually dont know how to argue with someone who thinks someone else should be punished merely for thought... Not even acting out your perceived idea of what you think communism is, but merely thinking about it...

Now imagine I am in a position of authority over you. I consider what you are proposing punishment for thought crime. I imagine you would find it unfair if I put you in situations emulating the conditions of 1984 for a week?

Definition of COMMUNISM (from Merriam-Webster)
1
a : a theory advocating elimination of private property
b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2
capitalized
a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d : communist systems collectively

If he believes in the collective ownership of property, then he shouldn't mind following the ideology to see whether he can stand by it or not.

There's a difference than the equal distribution of property and the ruling class (his parents) forcing him to share his stuff while the rest of his family doesn't have to give up anything. If they were trying to display communism, the rest of his family would also have their possessions redistributed.

[Tarea]

(Ironically, I am an Authoritarian. But taking personal property? Too far.)

People seem to always confuse private property with personal property. It's like they can't fathom that a watch factory could belong to the people, but the watch would still be yours.

Also, regarding revolution...that's why I always thought communism was a political stance regarding the overthrow of capitalism. Not some escapist lifestyle choice. After all, Engels was a factory owner - no?

Not to mention, why the heck are the sisters getting 1/4th of his stuff? Communism divides resources by need I thought.

[Sovietta]

In this thread: People who think they know what they are talking about but obviously don't to anyone with half a brain.

Get mad. Communism doesn't work and that's exactly what the parents showed to their kid. Sure, they used the even more radical, butchering of Communism as an example (i.e. any kind of communism that was actually implemented) and it really is terrible parenting, but it's painful to see people still clinging to the idea that "i-it isn't actual c-communism g-guys...!" while it really is: It is communistic in name and, although does not follow all of Marx's original theories, the basis was still there. Juuuust more authoritarian and usually has millions of people mass-murdered. Whoops. It's like how we call most western countries Liberal Democracies: They don't entirely apply (classical) Liberalism or Democracy (not direct democracy, anyways) but they still are democratic and free. Oh but no, you can't call Stalinism communism. Shameless double-standard crap right there.

tl;dr most people here need to do some learning, FAST. And more than just Marxism 101.

Stalinism is not communism. True Communism has yet to be tried. We try to make the capitalists understand this but they don't listen, because supposing Stalinism is communism means they win. And they'd like to win.

Saying Stalinism is communism is like saying anarchy is capitalism.

Straight on!

[Frisivisia]

People seem to always confuse private property with personal property. It's like they can't fathom that a watch factory could belong to the people, but the watch would still be yours.

Also, regarding revolution...that's why I always thought communism was a political stance regarding the overthrow of capitalism. Not some escapist lifestyle choice. After all, Engels was a factory owner - no?

Not to mention, why the heck are the sisters getting 1/4th of his stuff? Communism divides resources by need I thought.

Communism in a household would be basically this:

No one rules anyone else. Everyone is free to work and use whatever the household has.

[Divair]

Not to mention, why the heck are the sisters getting 1/4th of his stuff? Communism divides resources by need I thought.

Communism in a household would be basically this:

No one rules anyone else. Everyone is free to work and use whatever the household has.

Sounds like most reasonable families.

[The Land Fomerly Known as Ligerplace]

...I actually dont know how to argue with someone who thinks someone else should be punished merely for thought... Not even acting out your perceived idea of what you think communism is, but merely thinking about it...

Now imagine I am in a position of authority over you. I consider what you are proposing punishment for thought crime. I imagine you would find it unfair if I put you in situations emulating the conditions of 1984 for a week?

Definition of COMMUNISM (from Merriam-Webster)
1
a : a theory advocating elimination of private property
b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2
capitalized
a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d : communist systems collectively

If he believes in the collective ownership of property, then he shouldn't mind following the ideology to see whether he can stand by it or not.

Parent thought "2b"

NS says "2c"

and as far as "1a", there is a difference between sharing your watch (personal property, which is under your complete control) and sharing a family farm that pays the bills and supports everyone's LIVES.

[Suckeryou]

From Another Site, Part 2:

I was a member of the British Military Mission to GSFG [Group of Soviet Forces Germany] in the early 1980's, and the DDR was a soul-destroying place to see.

I remember talking to a farmer and his wife in Wittenburg, having found out that they were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary the day we were there on a Cultural Visit. I asked then what they were doing to celebrate the happy event, and the husband told me that they had been given the day off to celebrate as they wished, but they had to be back for seven to start the night harvest shift.

In another situation, I was given permission to use a phone - handed out of the house by the lady - to call up a recovery vehicle after we had broken down crossing a railroad track too fast and busted a differential. I could see through the window that she and her husband were assembling components for H0 scale model railroad cars. In my innocence I asked if they had a big layout in their attic. She laffed, and told me that she and her husband were not interested in model trains, but were interested in keeping warm. Although now in their late-70's, they were out-workers for PIKO-Sonneberg - makers of model trains in the near-by town. Without the little extra cash, she said, they would find it very hard to live.

What did she and her husband do, I asked, before they had both been retired at the age of 70? Well, she said, I was the senior professor of comparative linguistics in the University of Dresden, and my husband was the dean.

They were saving all their cash to buy a new bicycle each for the summer.

In my pocket, like all of us 'tourists', I had enough cash to buy their house, and probably the one next door to it, and pay their pension for the next five years.

She smiled at me as we said goodbye, and asked if it was alright to give me something. I had to say no, I couldn't accept anything from her - it was not allowed.

Take this, she said, and to hell with them, and gave me a great hug and a kiss.

I sat in the car with my tour officer and driver, and cried my heart out.

[Tlaceceyaya]

People seem to always confuse private property with personal property. It's like they can't fathom that a watch factory could belong to the people, but the watch would still be yours.

Also, regarding revolution...that's why I always thought communism was a political stance regarding the overthrow of capitalism. Not some escapist lifestyle choice. After all, Engels was a factory owner - no?

Not to mention, why the heck are the sisters getting 1/4th of his stuff? Communism divides resources by need I thought.

And isn't one way.

[The USOT]

In this thread: People who think they know what they are talking about but obviously don't to anyone with half a brain.

Get mad. Communism doesn't work and that's exactly what the parents showed to their kid. Sure, they used the even more radical, butchering of Communism as an example (i.e. any kind of communism that was actually implemented) and it really is terrible parenting, but it's painful to see people still clinging to the idea that "i-it isn't actual c-communism g-guys...!" while it really is: It is communistic in name and, although does not follow all of Marx's original theories, the basis was still there. Juuuust more authoritarian and usually has millions of people mass-murdered. Whoops. It's like how we call most western countries Liberal Democracies: They don't entirely apply (classical) Liberalism or Democracy (not direct democracy, anyways) but they still are democratic and free. Oh but no, you can't call Stalinism communism. Shameless double-standard crap right there.

tl;dr most people here need to do some learning, FAST. And more than just Marxism 101.

No, im getting annoyed (providing the story is true) because the parenting is just AWFUL.
Punishment for thought crime is almost the epitome of bad parenting.

To give the example ive already given in this thread; Imagine someone has a 5 year old who says they want to eat nothing but sweets all day. The parent gives them nothing but sweets untill they throw up, then when the next meal comes along gives them more sweets. They persist on this for a prolonged period of time around a month (based on the fact the child in the original post has received multiple pay checks, its reasonable to assume this has been at the minimum several weeks, and perhaps more than a month). I would like to think that you would call the parent a terrible inidividual (nevermind parent) and certainly unfit to raise children.

Now what a good parent would do in the sweet situation would be to IGNORE the childs request, and carry on with the normal routine.
Likewise in the communist son situation, if they honestly beleive it is so bad the best idea is to either A) Talk to the son about it, or B) just leave it as they cant really act on it anyway.

[Divair]

From Another Site, Part 2:

I was a member of the British Military Mission to GSFG [Group of Soviet Forces Germany] in the early 1980's, and the DDR was a soul-destroying place to see.

I remember talking to a farmer and his wife in Wittenburg, having found out that they were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary the day we were there on a Cultural Visit. I asked then what they were doing to celebrate the happy event, and the husband told me that they had been given the day off to celebrate as they wished, but they had to be back for seven to start the night harvest shift.

In another situation, I was given permission to use a phone - handed out of the house by the lady - to call up a recovery vehicle after we had broken down crossing a railroad track too fast and busted a differential. I could see through the window that she and her husband were assembling components for H0 scale model railroad cars. In my innocence I asked if they had a big layout in their attic. She laffed, and told me that she and her husband were not interested in model trains, but were interested in keeping warm. Although now in their late-70's, they were out-workers for PIKO-Sonneberg - makers of model trains in the near-by town. Without the little extra cash, she said, they would find it very hard to live.

What did she and her husband do, I asked, before they had both been retired at the age of 70? Well, she said, I was the senior professor of comparative linguistics in the University of Dresden, and my husband was the dean.

They were saving all their cash to buy a new bicycle each for the summer.

In my pocket, like all of us 'tourists', I had enough cash to buy their house, and probably the one next door to it, and pay their pension for the next five years.

She smiled at me as we said goodbye, and asked if it was alright to give me something. I had to say no, I couldn't accept anything from her - it was not allowed.

Take this, she said, and to hell with them, and gave me a great hug and a kiss.

I sat in the car with my tour officer and driver, and cried my heart out.

Why are you linking us to stuff about Stalinism when we're talking about communism?

[Torcularis Septentrionalis]

What that parent did was srs communism guys. That's what we communists believe. Srsly. No jokes.

Really? Really? Fuck that parent, if that was a true story.

[Inyourfaceistan]

My stepson is 16. He posted on his FB that he is now a communist. He is just doing it because he knows it pisses me off. I acted like I didn't care and posted the following. Then I changed his password. He had no idea I knew his password. It is still there for all his friends to see. He is really pissed off. I took the door off his bedroom. I took all his video games and stuff and set them up in the sun room for his 8 year old sister to use. He has no privacy now. Instead of giving him his weekly allowance I split it up between him and his sisters. Then I took him down to Lucky's supermarket and made him apply for a job. They hired him the next day. But told he has to bring home his paycheck every Thursday so I can split it up amongst everybody. He is not very happy. His mother is backing me up 100%. His work loan is almost unbearable for a 16 year old.

u·nism (kmy-nzm)

NOUN:

A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.

... Garrett, since you into communism-I will support you. To keep things at home in the spirit of things, all of your possessions are now shared with your sisters. You will now have to share in the workload of chores at home. All of them.

Since your mother and I are Capitalists we are exempt. Since you are the only communist at home, you get to do All the chores.

And then there was this Teen that lived it:

http://www.ironcurtainkid.com

The jokes from IronCurtainKid.com are very telling. Communism is NOT nice.

XD

[Zijeme]

the point is not to punish

Yeah it is.

[The USOT]

...I actually dont know how to argue with someone who thinks someone else should be punished merely for thought... Not even acting out your perceived idea of what you think communism is, but merely thinking about it...

Now imagine I am in a position of authority over you. I consider what you are proposing punishment for thought crime. I imagine you would find it unfair if I put you in situations emulating the conditions of 1984 for a week?

Definition of COMMUNISM (from Merriam-Webster)
1
a : a theory advocating elimination of private property
b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2
capitalized
a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d : communist systems collectively

If he believes in the collective ownership of property, then he shouldn't mind following the ideology to see whether he can stand by it or not.

(ignoring how stupid some of the defenitions there are, e.g. "A doctrine based on revolutionary marxian socialism and marxism leninism" is a massive fallacy considering communism was a theory prior to the birth of Marx, nevermind lenin)
Please answer my question.
You beleive in punishing people for thoughts. Now in a situation in which I am in authority over you, I hypothetically wish to put you through simulations of the camps from orwells 1984. Is this fair?

[Demirysis]

My stepson is 16. He posted on his FB that he is now a communist. He is just doing it because he knows it pisses me off. I acted like I didn't care and posted the following. Then I changed his password. He had no idea I knew his password. It is still there for all his friends to see. He is really pissed off. I took the door off his bedroom. I took all his video games and stuff and set them up in the sun room for his 8 year old sister to use. He has no privacy now. Instead of giving him his weekly allowance I split it up between him and his sisters. Then I took him down to Lucky's supermarket and made him apply for a job. They hired him the next day. But told he has to bring home his paycheck every Thursday so I can split it up amongst everybody. He is not very happy. His mother is backing me up 100%. His work loan is almost unbearable for a 16 year old.

u·nism (kmy-nzm)

NOUN:

A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.

... Garrett, since you into communism-I will support you. To keep things at home in the spirit of things, all of your possessions are now shared with your sisters. You will now have to share in the workload of chores at home. All of them.

Since your mother and I are Capitalists we are exempt. Since you are the only communist at home, you get to do All the chores.

And then there was this Teen that lived it:

http://www.ironcurtainkid.com

The jokes from IronCurtainKid.com are very telling. Communism is NOT nice.

I know everyone is blasting the parents, but honestly - it's Communism, and his parents have shown the kid exactly what Communism is. This is what it is. The kid is obviously just doing it because it's probably considered cool by his peers. Yes, his parents my be punishing him, but there's a fundamental lesson to be learned here - don't jump into something completely unless you know what it is.