Mutualist trade seems much more direct. I *know* that I earned that which I have, and I can take pride in it. I don't want to just walk up to the car company and request a car. I want to trade *my* widgets for *their* car, directly.

I just want to be able to look at my home, my car, etc. and honestly say- "I truly earned that". Trading value for value directly offers me that.

As to the competition issue- competition with others does not drive me, and I'm happy to cooperate with others to a reasonable degree. I prefer many individual co-ops so that I have a choice, and I can associate with those who are more aligned with my personality, temperament and goals. I just want *variety*, because I know people are varied, and there are those that I would *not* wish to work with.

There's nothing *wrong* with your form of communism, I just don't want to live in such a manner.

I haven't read the post you mentioned yet, to be honest. Perhaps we should pause our discussion until I do.

"In mutualism, you voluntarily trade your surplus product. In Communism you voluntarily share your surplus product."

THAT I understand. I still prefer Mutualism. I prefer trade.

"Communism is not subject to the social darwinism of the free markets."

I *really* like that *free* part…. quite a lot, to be honest.

I really don't know. I can't relate to it at all.

No, you don't. And the thing is, that you don't seem to even be trying to understand. Case in point, this statement: "individual gets what individual works for- directly" is true for all socialist systems (but not for capitalist ones). The difference is what happens *after*. In mutualism, you voluntarily trade your surplus product. In Communism you voluntarily share your surplus product. The only difference between the two on this issue, is that communism is not subject to the social darwinism of the free markets.

I see yours as "individual works and gets… some mix of what he thinks he needs from what others want to put in the collective pool"… I really don't know. I can't relate to it at all.

You know- what you want to do might work, but it doesn't matter to me. I don't want it. I don't want to live that way. It's just that simple.

We are operating from different paradigms. You often don't understand the fullness of my meaning. I often don't understand yours.

You added several embellishments that do not apply. Which is somewhat irritating- akin to having words put in one's mouth.

Alright, I'll bite. How is it "about individualism" exactly? How is my ideology *less* individualistic than yours?

I am now doubting your sense of rationality. Please explain that statement.

"I am challenging your unstated premises"

You added several embellishments that do not apply. Which is somewhat irritating- akin to having words put in one's mouth.

I believe market competition should be there for one simple reason-

There must be *freedom* to produce what you wish to produce, and *freedom* to choose who you wish to produce it with.

This does not in any way imply a free market.