I agree, musicmic, that many leftists demonize the kibbutz experience. I don't, because I know almost nothing about it. I'd be interested to learn more about it. I do disagree with the general thrust of Zionist policy as it exists in the political state of Israel at present, but that's another matter. It has no bearing on my opinion of kibbutzes. I've lived on some occasions in cooperative communities which may share a good deal in common with a kibbutz, in fact.

I have no objection to Jews whatsoever. There are a significant number of Jews who disagree radically with both Zionism and with present Israeli government policy. I find myself in agreement with those Jews when it comes to the political issues involved.

It isn't capitalism that I have a problem with either...it's multi-national corporatism on a very large scale that I have a problem with, and I think it is destroying the original nature of traditional capitalism, which benefited local communities by providing millions of local jobs and by resulting in genuine competition. Corporatism has destroyed millions of local jobs in the western world by outsourcing them to distant places, mostly to Asia, places where people are so badly paid and treated that it almost amounts to slave labor.

This has been aided and abetted by the western politicians through their so-called "Free Trade" agreements (the removal of protective tariffs on foreign imports from places with tremendously lower wages for their workers than we can possibly afford here). This is wiping out our traditional jobs and industries and destroying our middle class.

The politicians sold out because the corporates own them and control them through lobbying (bribing).

Thus...it is not capitalism I am throwing bricks at. It's corporatism.

Yes, a great many Americans have been duped. So have a great many Canadians. I realize they don't like being told they are dupes...but I figure maybe someone has to tell them. The truth can hurt.

What would you suggest as an alternative approach?