Far left as nasty at the far right

Regular correspondent Ralph Tebbutt is happy to expound the benefits of Communism, but like others with his beliefs, never mentions some major downsides: the oppression, the poverty, the hunger (as a direct result of collectivisation), the rampant human rights abuses, the banning of any form of dissent or criticism, etc.

On several occasions, it has led to madness and murder on a vast scale courtesy of deliberate state policies.

Communists may think deeply but the result is usually intellectual gobbledegook guaranteed to go over the heads of the unthinking masses, who will doubtless be grateful for the benefits of Communism when it is foisted upon them. Everything is supposedly done in the name of the people, while the people themselves are denied any say in it.

If it is as wonderful as its adherents say it is, then why do Communist regimes never allow any real opposition or hold free and fair elections? Are they afraid of losing? Surely everyone would vote for them.

Except, in reality, they would be out in an instant, and they know it. The peoples of Eastern Europe dumped Communism in the 1990s when the opportunity arose.

Communism may sound like a noble construct, but the reality is that it can only ever be kept in place with the jackboot, the iron fist, and a huge security apparatus. It must be among the most dishonest creeds ever devised.

Yes, capitalism has many flaws and nobody can say it is perfect, but at least it is a system allowing people to have the freedom to disagree, to not fear the ‘3 o’clock knock’, and have potential-realising opportunities denied to those born under the Communist yoke.

You can safely criticise the system, as Mr Tebbutt does, without fear of retribution by the state. I see very little difference between the far left and the far right as they are two equally nasty sides of the same coin. David Holman