Support for Communism

Lee Edwards’ “Communism: Cauldron of Suffering” (Commentary, Jan. 25) reminded me of the old Russian joke about the difference between capitalism and communism: “Under capitalism, man exploits man, whereas under communism it is the reverse.”

Edwards raises the question of why many intelligent people supported communism in spite of the suffering unleashed by Stalin and other communist leaders. I imagine this may have had a lot to do with what he neglects to mention, such as the worldwide Depression that plunged millions of people into extreme misery and demonstrated the failure of unrestrained capitalism to reliably meet human needs. It might also have something to do with the widening gap between rich and poor, or the devastating effects on the environment resulting from valuing profits above all else.

The challenge is to find a viable alternative to both a communist dictatorship and the present system. I suggest something along the lines offered by David Korten in his book, “The Post-Corporate World: Life After Capitalism.”

GARY BARAN

Glendale

*

Edwards is justified in wondering how some of “the West’s best and brightest” could have supported the Soviet Union, even when its policies were causing the death of millions. He might just as well ask why so many U.S. politicians, “statesmen” and intelligence organizations supported brutal right-wing dictatorships around the world as a “bulwark” against communism, thereby causing their own fair share of misery and death.

It’s not unusual for armchair ideologues to believe that ends justify even the most horrible means, particularly when the horror takes place in someone else’s backyard.

JOE NACHISON

Santa Monica

*

How about the Spanish Inquisition, witch burning and the Crusades? We always have suffering when someone knows what’s best for everyone else.

BERNARD L. “BUD” FINK

Carpinteria