Communism - US Military

[Zebliz]

Okay, I'm not sure if this is in the right area, so please do not flame me if so.

I have a friend who is very much into conspiracy theories and they are telling me that the U.S. military is like communism. Is this true? and if so, how? I figure this has to be as helpful a place as most, because everyone here is so very knowledgeable and politically oriented.

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance to your responses, it is much appreciated.

[M.Dancer]

Okay, I'm not sure if this is in the right area, so please do not flame me if so.

I have a friend who is very much into conspiracy theories and they are telling me that the U.S. military is like communism. Is this true? and if so, how? I figure this has to be as helpful a place as most, because everyone here is so very knowledgeable and politically oriented.

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance to your responses, it is much appreciated.

No it is a meritocracy as well it pays not according to need but according to rank. The comparison between the two is silly ..it shows a profound misunderstanding of communism and the military.

[Zebliz]

No it is a meritocracy as well it pays not according to need but according to rank. The comparison between the two is silly ..it shows a profound misunderstanding of communism and the military.

Alright, well they said to me that with Communism you fight for a cause, no matter how just it may be, and no matter how many die to fulfill that cause. They said the U.S. military is the same way. And if people do not comply then conscription can be enforced, the back door to side-stepping enlistment. *shrug*

[M.Dancer]

Alright, well they said to me that with Communism you fight for a cause, no matter how just it may be, and no matter how many die to fulfill that cause. They said the U.S. military is the same way. And if people do not comply then conscription can be enforced, the back door to side-stepping enlistment. *shrug*

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[Army Guy]

I have a friend who is very much into conspiracy theories and they are telling me that the U.S. military is like communism. Is this true? and if so, how? I figure this has to be as helpful a place as most, because everyone here is so very knowledgeable and politically oriented

First You need to understand what the military does for a living. it uses force and destruction to bring about a political goal. Once a soldier signs the dotted line and agrees to serve his country, he signs a contract of "unlimited liability" meaning our government may ask you to risk or give your life to accomplish one of those goals.

It also means that some of your basic freedoms you enjoy as a civilian are put on hold, or taken away for safety of the larger group...For example, before a battle there is no group hug, nobody is going to stand up and ask "OK who wants to storm these heavily defended beaches with me" your expected to do your job, even if it gets you killed so that the greater number will hopefully survives...to do that there is a clear chain of command, ( one guy in charge) who has the final say, no group discussions, no hugs, no pats on the ass,

Alright, well they said to me that with Communism you fight for a cause, no matter how just it may be, and no matter how many die to fulfill that cause. They said the U.S. military is the same way. And if people do not comply then conscription can be enforced, the back door to side-stepping enlistment. *shrug*

Everyone has a cause, regardless of what type of government is installed, Do you think that there should be a fix number on deaths to achieve that cause, do you think when we invaded france, and landed on the beaches of Normandy, we should have quit after x amount of deaths....if the objective is important enough then yes, it will be achieved regardless of how many die...

[Pliny]

Families are run like Communism and Businesses are run like communism. But you have to define communism.

Here is the definition: It is the achievement of the totalitarian state through revolutionary means.

Socialism is the achievement of the totalitarian state through evolutionary means.

The military is more like a corporation but it is not as it does not offer a product or service for sale - unless it is a private, mercenary army, in which case it is hired and paid like any other labour force onn a contractual basis.

Organization is best understood as having a socialist structure. They are not groups of individuals doing what they want or doing what they figure is best for the company. There is a form, a plan and a goal.

The thing that makes government different is that it has the ability to enforce participation. All other organizations do not have this ability. Communism does not ask people to participate and co-operate with it, well I suppose it does but once it gains the seat of power it no longer asks it just enforces everyone to do as they say without asking or inviting your input. Now, the military and any other organization does require and will force you to do your duty but it is a duty and a contract that you have agreed to perform so they are not asking you to do anything that you haven't already agreed to do and said you would do. The citizens of communist states may have a lot of dissenters who never did agree to participate or play any role in government but they are required by law to do so.

So Communism, I think you are referring to it as a form of government, is a government. The military is the organization that defends the country, it can exist under democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, communism but the forms of government are the source of law that determines the existence of the military and the use and delegation of force.

[August1991]

Absolutely fascinating thread.

Families are run like Communism and Businesses are run like communism. But you have to define communism.

....

The thing that makes government different is that it has the ability to enforce participation.

Ability to enforce participation?

Pliny, that definition is critical in all relations. Is your relation with another voluntary or involuntary? Can you walk away or are you forced to confront?

----

I happen to think that in this modern world, we organize our affairs using four "institutions": family, government, friends and markets.

Instinctively, we seek to co-operate.

[Pliny]

Absolutely fascinating thread.

Ability to enforce participation?

Pliny, that definition is critical in all relations. Is your relation with another voluntary or involuntary? Can you walk away or are you forced to confront?

----

I happen to think that in this modern world, we organize our affairs using four "institutions": family, government, friends and markets.

Instinctively, we seek to co-operate.

As an adult my relationship with everyone is voluntary. The exception would be government. Although I begrudgingly live under an increasingly socialist state which tests my resolve to continue to participate and co-operate, I still have the power of choice to leave and I attempt to keep the direction of government growth in the negative so that I and future generations always will have that choice or to change our government. A totalitarian government would not ever grant me either choice.

My relationship with family, friends and markets can abide our disagreements and are based upon our mutual respect and co-operation. My relationship with government cannot abide any disagreement and demands my co-operation with the use of force and coercion, primarily economic in our social democracy, but failing that, becoming physical in form.

While a family treats you childlike during the time you are one, government insists you remain childlike in your relationship with them.

Instinctively, the majority of us seek to co-operate. Some wish us to co-operate, i.e., leaders, some wish to be non-conformist, and a very few wish us to be in an either continual state of confusion or entirely under their control.

Although all organizations have a socialist structure. Government is the only one that enforces co-operation without first gaining the agreement to co-operate from the individual.

One has to remember in all relationships that your reputation depends upon the quality, commitment and trust you bring to them.

Although I am not an anarchist I believe it is a better ideal to strive for than totalitarianism. In a perfect world we could all look after ourselves. And co-operation with our families and friends and markets are all that is necessary. Government exists only because the world is not perfect and justice and the use of force is sometimes a necessary intervention.

Libertarians do not believe anyone should have the power to initiate the use of force.