A monument of sorts

Karl “I became so depressed when Bismarck hijacked my ideas that I never finished my writing” Marx is famous for a few things. There’s his absolute lack of understanding of economics, for one. Then, there is this quote

“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”

Has there ever been so great a monument to wishful thinking? Oh, it’s not the words themselves. I would argue that one can make a good case for the words expressing a concept completely consistent with Christianity. The problem, of course, is that Christianity does not presume to tell you what your ability and needs are. That decision is yours and the extent to which you decide correctly is between you and your Maker.

Socialism (and all the other fanciful systems which look to Marx for their inspiration) doesn’t approach it that way. Instead, someone else, some other human (or a group of them – never doubt the amount of stupidity and evil present in large groups) make those decisions for you. Special People decide what you can, and should, do. Special People decide what you need. Those same Special People also decide how, when and if (especially if) you can get what you need.

That is at least part of the problem with all Marxist thought. The idea that others are in a position to best decide what you can do, what you should do, and what you will obtain/enjoy/experience as a result. You don’t matter. What matters is that the system is in place. What matters is that everyone is getting only what they need (interestingly, political leadership seems to need more than you or your neighbor) and working for what everyone needs in a way that is inconsistent with human nature.

It’s not just wishful thinking. It’s evil.