If you could explain to me what the basics are so I can make my mind up I'd be well chuffed! Also do you know anything about the Young Communists if I like the idea I may join.

Cheers bro,
Peace, Love and Happiness
The Stinkin' Hippy.

P.S. Why is it every one I know who smokes pot is a dick a bout it ( the most get high must get absolutely wrecked on any manky shit in any manky way in the same way as people drink to excess as appose to me who does it to chill out listen to tunes and OPEN MY MIND, why can't there be anyone cool around?

Dear Stinkin' Hippy
Once upon a time, many hippies embraced communism. It's a great theory proposing that everyone should have equal power and wealth. But that's the problem. It's just an economic theory that lacks respect for individuality, creativity, spirituality. By forcing people to conform, yield to the power of the state, which then determines what's best for you and everyone else, you end up with the worse totalitarian systems. Don't think so? Look at the former Soviet Union, Red China, North Korea, even Milosovich's Serbia.

The problems inherent in communism become apparent when power becomes consolidated in the hands of a few. "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely!" That statement pretty much sums it up. In practice communism concentrates all the power, thus corrupting those on top and the whole system. The other failing is that humans aren't just needy, they're GREEDY. The failure of the communist regimes was that those with the power were the only ones able to satisfy their greed, while the rest could barely meet their needs. So far from creating a worker's paradise, communism in practice was nothing more than a huge slave camp, with the workers toiling away for the benefit of a few powerful comrades (party members).

Capitalism succeeds because it rewards any individual who contributes to the system, regardless of their political status. It is caters to human greed rather than ignoring it. So the more you work the more you prosper. Of course those who refuse to contribute still expect to be rewarded, and can get awfully upset when they don't. But the real problem that inspired communism is the exploitation of workers. And this persists under capitalism, because the prevailing business model is one where executives see "maximizing profits" as the holy grail. Thus workers are often paid a poor wage, especially in third world countries, given as few benefits as possible, and can be abused in many ways. This is a major failing of the capitalist system and could be cured very easily.

Another big flaw is the exploitation of resources, and pollution of the environment (the communists were REALLY good at this!). This problem is due to the fact that the economics of diminishing resources, and the destruction of ecosystems do not get factored into every Nike or Ford Expedition that gets made. Instead the world is left absorbing that cost while reckless, irresponsible businesses profit from it. This is because governments are now beholden to the multi-national business interests that help the leaders get elected. Politicians get pressured by lobbyists to allow them to continue their exploitive ways. Again it's individuals receiving bribes (oh excuuuuuse meeeeeee.... campaign contributions) that make these decisions that benefit corporate interests at the expense of their constituients (the voters).

But your question was about communism, no? Forget it! And though capitalism may be more successful, in the long run, it's almost as bad.

And as far as smoking pot is concerned, the problem you mention is the difference between use and abuse, respect for a sacred herb and disrespect for one's own body. There's lots of cool people around, you just need to find some new friends (perhaps some older ones).

-The Old Hippy