Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Socialist Experiment in Grand Rapids







That's why Bartertown won't last.


  1. The author is correct, communism is fundamentally a dictatorship. What s/he fails to mention is that it is a dictatorship of the people over society, government, and the economy. It is irresponsible to look at one portion of the history of socialist/communist societies and judge the entire system as such. The most popular socialist societies is recent history did have brutal beginnings, however these beginnings may have been necessary as peaceful overthrow of individual owned capital is nearly impossible (i.e., how do you remove weapons from weapons dealers?). Violence and tyrannical rule were devices used to remove the profit motive from society and uplift people out of capitalistic system NOT characteristics of communism or socialism itself.

  2. Thank you for making my point. Communism/socialism are inherently violent philosophies because they require violence to both a) gain power, and b) retain power.

    You say that communism is a dictatorship over society, government, and the economy. You fail to mention that it is also a dictatorship over individuals. In order for communism to remain for any period of time, individuals must be subjected to the will of the majority with no interest in individual freedom or personal initiative. This dictatorship is everywhere and always violent, bloody, and an ultimate failure.

  3. "Bartertown won't last". December 13, 2012. I just ate there. Hmmm. Maybe they can serve you some humble pie.

    1. I did notice that they quickly relented and went from "cash only" to accepting evil multinational credit cards.