[January 3, 2019] Communism is a failure. It has failed historically in every form it takes, regardless of the political environment, an abundance of resources, the power of its leadership, or strength of its citizens. And so it is with the communist movement known as Shining Path Maoist Marxists who nearly brought the country of Peru to its knees economically, socially, and politically.
“Communism possesses a language which every people can understand; its elements are hunger, envy, and death.” – Heinrich Heine, German-Jewish poet
I’m beginning this New Year with an emphasis on relearning old lessons of the past. My mother once told me that she enjoyed taking history courses at the college level because “only serious students were there.” She believed that the study of history in an academic setting was tedious and mind-numbing; so only those who ‘wanted’ to be there were willing to come to class and learn.
If we were to look at the country of Peru and study its relationship with Shining Path guerrillas during their war in the 1990s, we could discover the real truth behind communism. This past Saturday, Peruvian government authorities were responsible for destroying a mausoleum holding the bodies of eight Shining Path rebels killed during a prison massacre that occurred more than three decades ago.
That bit of news is what I read about in several major newspapers. But the ‘rest of the story’ is of greater interest and not covered by the mainstream press.
First, Peruvians have an appetite for their culture and it is on display for anyone who has ever visited their country and thus their desire for artifacts that remind them of their heritage. Peru is a proud country and its political leadership works to maintain their culture and traditions.
Second, Shining Path communists attempted a takeover of Peru starting in the 1980s that lead to an unprecedented level of the brutalization of the population and destruction of their culture. When the Shining Path moved into villages, they randomly executed people, confiscated property, and even hung people’s pets in a show of power. Therefore, it is no surprise that the peoples of Peru remain sensitive to the horrors of communism and are prone to de-romanticize it.
Peruvians are rejecting communism especially that which gave rise to the Shining Path Maoist Marist variety. No “Marxist measles” for Peru, because the Peruvians are refusing to stand for it; they know where it leads.1
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New to your blog. Thanks for giving us something to think about in an honest way about these ideologies.
Welcome Eva.
Good to have you on board, Eva.
Communism and Socialism make wonderful promises but only delivers misery in the long run.
Remember these ideologies are only about hate, violence, and broken promises.
Never in the history of mankind has a way of thinking ever been so destructive.
Communism is about taking money away from people we don’t like and giving it to those we do like. Of course, those we don’t like eventually leave, imprisoned, or killed. Then we run out of money and start killing those we do like. Socialism is no different.
This article is a great way to start the new year. But, I will remind everyone here (although you are smart enough to know it), that using logic for those dedicated to communism is a method that will never work. Adherence to communism for many is a mental breakdown that cannot be cured so easily as providing facts.
I think for them it’s a religion of ignorance.
You are so right. 🙂 🙂 🙂
We hear so many stories of people escaping Communism but never hear of those running to be a part of it. That alone should tell you something. Yes, US Pres Bill Clinton traveled to the USSR (don’t know what he did there) as did other socialist politicains in the US. But they always return. Logic however doesn’t work on many people because Communism remains attractive. The problem? It never works.
Good to hear from you “Sadako Red” and I look forward to your upcoming article.
Good news, looks like “Red” will be giving another of his great blog posts soon.
Hooray! Looking forward to reading your next masterpiece.
Good to hear that you will be giving us another article soon. I’m one of your biggest fans, Sadako Red.
I lived in north korea as a young man and made my way to the south during war. I am free but my family is not. They still live there. Hope and pray for them.
Thank you for your comments Jung Hoon Kim. Yes, I will pray for them. Surely your story is a great one and we are all better knowing that you sought freedom and got it.
Welcome to freedom.
Wow, nice article. Thanks Gen. Satterfield.
People today have no idea what freedom really is. If they were freed from their mindless ideologies and from the socialist media of today, their eyes would open and they would be different, really innovative, and really good people.
You have that right. We are simply spoiled like the little child throwing a temper tantrum in the supermarket.
My favorite quote from Joseph Stalin, “Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas.” Sounds a lot like communism lite (aka socialism).
Most folks in modern nations have no historical knowledge or lessons of the Shining Path Maoist communists and thse atrocities imposed upon the population. Interesting to those socialists in Western nations that have zero experience with real socialims or communism is that those most set upon and destroyed are the very people communism claims to support. As has been said here in this leadership forum, American socialists are simply idiots.
“8 Reasons Why Communism Doesn’t Work”
If it’s so great then why isn’t everyone a communist?
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/8-reasons-communism-doesnt-work
Thanks Mike. This is why I like Texas and not California or New York (two commie states).
Jordan Peterson talks about the whitewashing of the horrors of communism – THE HORRORS OF COMMUNISM AND SOCIALISM EXPLAINED | 2018 Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R-tc1AtnjU
Saw the interview. Peterson does it again. Thank you.
I highly recommend reading his book and listening to his talks that can be found on most video media. Army Captain, thanks for bringing up this particular interview. 🙂
Here’s another video of Professor Peterson talking about why communism is so attractive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h_mMVwQnAk