Communist Manifesto

Published originally in 1848, the Communist Manifesto was written by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels as a “coming out document” to outline the communist beliefs.

I have read the Manifesto several times, the first being a senior in high school. At that time I had only a small amount of appreciation for the significance of the document. Upon reading it most recently I can not seem to get it out of my mind. Specifically the section outlining the agenda to spread communism not by means of force but by means of political inroads.

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

5. Centralization of credit in the banks of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal obligation of all to work. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, etc.
Does this look familiar?

Are you awake yet?