Communism

"We have a mixed economy here in Israel. Socialism, Capitalism, and Lewis Caroll." - Dry Bones comic strip.

It's a bit more than that. Israel is one of the few, if not the only country, to see Communism work in selected areas. It doesn't work on all the kibbutzim, but it does on quite a few. The first kibbutz that I was on, had success that would have made Marx proud.

Well, maybe not Marx, it was not 100% self sufficient, and it exported as well, but people all made a share depending on mouths to feed, and no bourgeois. Maybe it's more Leninist. Not kill-millions-of-people-and-run-the-government-strictly-by-terrifying-the-people Lenin, but the eventual, a-little-private-industry, idealistic Lenin. There are some fabulously wealthy secular kibbutzes, but the three religious kibbutzes in close proximity, En Hanatziv, Sde Elijahu, and Terat Tzvi, all do incredibly well, have success with farming, industry, science, livestock, and the like. Each family has a nice house, with possessions, even cars, all paid for by the kibbutz.

I was at Beit Rimon for about a week. It gets by, but is hardly successful. The majority of the population are American immigrants, so in addition to the meager allowance the kibbutz gives, all they really have is what they brought with them. Kind of like a 1960's-Castro kibbutz, without the nuclear threat.

Then I spent six weeks at Malei Gilboa. This is what I imagine was a bit like late 80's Gorbechav. As it is, the kibbutz is on its last legs, and is desperate for money. They sold land to a yeshiva. They charge for the food. They turned some of the houses into a bed and breakfast. They no longer sell there food wholesale, but take a phenomenal risk, selling it on the road.

Most importantly, allowances are dead. The people still get paid, but it is for the work that they do, the importance of their jobs. Almost none of the ideals are left.

In Israel, it has been shown, you can grow any fruit. Any side of a debate can surely find a supporter in this country. And it appears we now have almost any form of economics as well.

Get me outa here!!!

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Michael Kadish

"You can't judge a people by its Jews." - Guy Sudrey

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