: The enemy here is the state which considers itself master and keeper of people, rather than servant 'referee' of individual liberty.First of all I'm really thrilled you were not just trying to wind us up. I thought you were so I was going into detail for the benefit of observers.
Actually I do belive Capitalist elites silence naysayers just not directly, they have subordinates do that for them. They also fight amongst themselves most of the time so you can rarely identify them as a group because they don't act as a group.
The main reason why I restricted myself to Australia (mostly) was that was the place I lived in, I had some direct experience but yes Russia & China would have served very well. Note there are differing degrees of openess by the elite at how far they are prepared to go to keep us down. Another reason why I chose Australia, its the arse end of the world and as most countries go its considered liberal thus I thought it a more pursuasive argument.
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THE FOLLOWING IS KIND OF MY THEORY WHY "WORKERS STATES" HAVE DONE THE NASTIES THEY HAVE. DON'T FEEL OBLIGED TO READ IT, I GOT BORED TYPING IT (NOT A GOOD SIGN) AND I DON'T LIKE ITS OVERALL READABLILITY. SOME OF IT MAY BE NEW TO YOU HOWEVER FEEL FREE EITHER WAY.
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On Liberty.
I am in favour of freedom of Religion, Religion is all about the individual. It is of no concearn to the collective.
Marx wanted to get rid of it why? From what I can work out, apart from being a scientist & sceptic etc etc, the religion of the day was almost exclusively instituationalised and was a parasite. Another reason was much of the religion of the Western World, the various strains of christianity were actively siding with the establishment. Considering the above, it was a legitimate military target. It was an enemy of the people. As the "workers states" have solidified and a new elite sprung up, the motive changes from protect, nurture the people to staying in power. Religion itself, along with art, gets attacked as a source or conduit for alternative (but not necessarily independent) thought.
My direct experience on Freedom of Speech and Democracy in the socialist movement and wider political spectrum.
"Mixed" is probably the best word. I have seen some really ugly disputes happening, sexual harrassment, lies and half truths going to and fro as one side attempts to marginalise the other.
I have also seen them run as a well greased machine with people being listened to and being able to influence policy in line with how many votes they get.
Outside the socialist movement I am mostly an observer and the papers only report the negative.
I qualify, you cannot have democracy in a civil war, nor should you allow Facist Movement. Facisim is an aggressive ideology that sees diversity as a weakness and is opposed to Democracy. Further, they use their civil rights not merely to deny the Holocaust but to victimise minorities and grow in strength, then move on to tougher targets. The Facist movements must be "crushed in the egg". This is distinct from individual Facists however, they can be converted into liberals/moderates with varying economic programs including socialisim. Apart from Facisim, Civil War and the Armed Forces when an actual battle is taking place my value in Democracy an associated concepts is absolute. I'm not saying you should be able to elect your officer but you should be able to respond an counter the Indocrination the establishment tries to put you through. but I digress
Private Property
Most definitely is a concearn of the collective depending on what property you are talking about, your surfboard, the house you live in? Have it. I cant see why a Marxist would have fit over it. Its small change.
An unfettered right to private property infringes on the liberty of others. A factory, a bank, a farm.... hell yes, Marxists should have a problem with that but more extreme versions of nationalisation, such as your house etc may be for no other reason but to make you depedent on the state. Therefore vulnerable and in a position of weakness in case you decided to peacefully oppose the Government.
Anyway sorry for the length. Congrats & thanks for getting this far.
PMD
