True; frankly, it usually works. I may have just read too much philosophy and feel crappy feeling like I’m telling people what they oughta believe. Still, this was a delightful discussion. Have a lovely day in case I pass out (night shift).

You know, that’s a valid question I’ve been asking myself lately due to the intersection between American Union history and the current state of politics. Frankly, contribute to the local orgs already; so as I said, arguing I’m not under the umbrella isn’t strictly valid.

The other bit being that you can loop folks further left out of the more extreme sections of the evangelical right by presenting yourself as a middle ground. Talk them into reading some libertarian theory, conservative theory, and to read Marx and Engels for comparative analysis. Or at worst, reduce the theory to memes and make them read it by cutting absurd bits. I’m a bit of a dadaism fan if it wasn’t obvious.

Mostly, a misguided attachment to libertarianism, and a lack of faith in a successful global proletariat revolution. Thus why in the original comment I clarified “tankie”; the other bit? The American feds. Real Red-scare vibes over here.

True, and yes unfortunately on Marxist theory and commentary. Part of why I’m a disillusioned corporatist if I still count as one and not an outright socialist. What can I say, Marx makes good arguments for economies of scale.

The “shitty” I’d quantify as the sometimes downright underhanded defense of the ideology of the party of his age, more than any direct moral failings on his part. Or a commentary on the necessary rules of engagement for revolt in Russia traditionally suck for the revolutionaries and those who follow them and attempt to safeguard their philosophical ideals.

Granted, you’re right, came in joking a little hot and heavy and I could have explained my punchlines better

True, why I count myself among y’all, I just quibble over the details frankly. Bad habit of mine. The results themselves overall in terms of quality of life speak volumes over the reduction in quality of life under capitalist systems generally. Even with failures like Mao’s famines.

Frankly the socialist states are generally more friendly to cooperatives over corporations. But again I call myself a social corporatist and folks usually imagine I’m arguing in favor of a techno-libertarian corporate congress. Pardon me for the lack of outright clarity.

Agreed, and to clarify, I’m pretty much a socialist, just think co-operatives oughta be allowed to hold similar assets to a state, (within the laws of a state in question) ideally subsidiary to the state’s own collectivized system. The cold bit about Stalin was crediting the fellow with having more idealogical depth than the simple “funny gulag man” many paint him as.

Frankly not a tankie or a capitalist, but I’m pretty sure Stalin was shitty for other reasons. Admirable reasons at time as in the case of being a cold-mother fucker enough to gank his own son for the revolution. But reasons, surely.