Why I am Not a Communist? By Connie Pulotu

I am not a Communist because...

Communists believe in equal liability to all to labor. I believe all men are not created equal. I believe that some people just work harder than others. I believe some people love to work, while others enjoy loafing a bit more. I believe that we reap what we sow, literally.

Communists believe that bourgeois society creates capital, i.e., that kind of property which exploits wage labour...Property in its present form, is based on the antagonism of capital and wage labor. I believe in the opposites of good and evil. I do not believe that inanimate objects are either good or evil. I believe that people may choose to treat others well or poorly. I do not believe that property can exploit, only individuals.

Communists believe the abolition of bourgeois individuality, bourgeois independence and bourgeois freedom is undoubtedly the aim. By freedom is meant, free trade, free selling and buying. I do not believe that for one class to prosper another must be abolished. Nor do I believe that by abolishing the property of one class another will benefit. I believe that it is not circumstances or wealth that makes men free, but the ability to choose in every circumstance. I believe in free-enterprise. I believe that when men have the freedom to experiment in trying a new business, it benefits society. I believe that innovation comes from the freedom to try. I also believe that a free market economy creates a greater wealth for all.

Communists believe that in bourgeois society capital is independent and has individuality, while the living person is dependent and has no individuality. Again, I believe in the freedom to choose. I believe that individuals, although dependent on others for some things still have freedom in other areas. I do not believe that individuals with more money have greater freedom, only greater opportunity which is not always synonymous with freedom. I believe, in my society, that one can choose what level of affluence they want to achieve in this life. But I also believe that some may have an easier way to prosperity.

The theory of the Communist may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property. I believe in private property. I believe that an individuals property is an extension of that individual. I believe that my property is the fruit of my labor. I believe that I may choose to give away my property of my own free will, but that another does not have the right to take my property without compensation. Nor do I believe that any property beyond the needs of an individuals belongs to public domain. I believe that even the poor have and deserve property rights.

Communists believe that to a great extent (industry has) already destroyed it (labors property). I do not believe that capital seeks to destroy labors individual property. Nor do I believe that capital is evil. I do, however, believe that power and money have the tendency to corrupt individuals.

Communists have no interest separate and apart from those of the proletariat as a whole. I do not believe that Communists “have no interests separate and apart from those of the proletariat as a whole.” I believe that man is naturally inclined to his own interests. I also believe that those who propose anarchy assume they will be in a higher, more authoritative position after or they would not propose it.

Communists believe, in its completely developed form ...family exists only among the bourgeoisie. I believe that family has always been the basic unit of society. I do not believe family is a creation of the bourgeoisie. I believe that even among the poor in a society, the family can and does exist. I do, however, believe that poor circumstances can adversely effect the family unit.

Communists believe that the proletariat will use its political supremacy to wrest, by degrees, all capital from the bourgeoisie, to centralize all instruments of production in the hands of the State, i.e., of the proletariat organized as the ruling class. I believe that government is best established by order. I believe that when the Communists talk about a centralized “State” they are talking about a few governing the many. I believe that anarchy has no other purpose other than to wrestle the power from one ruler to give to another.

Communists believe that the ideas of religious liberty and freedom of conscience, merely gave expression to the sway of freedom of competition within the domain of knowledge. I am not a Communist because I believe in religious liberty for all. I believe that freedom of conscience is fundamental to peace and happiness in this life. I do not believe that religion is a creation to submit the poorer classes to the will of the ruling class. I believe in a God, the Creator of this world. I believe that society is best served when the individuals of that society follow the Creator and live by His laws.

Having stated why I am not a communists, I understand the main point of their argument. I know that there are great advantages in possessing wealth in this life. I also know that those who are the poorest in our society are disadvantaged. But because I believe that happiness is not determined in the amount of wealth one possess, nor in the comfort or education one receives, I really feel less inclined to participate in the passion that stems from the arguments of the Manifesto.