I think most left-of-center folks have flirted with communism at one time or other. The Manifesto--which I'd opine most people have never read--is a wonderful document. However, when we look at countries like North Korea and China we certainly see places that haven't read it either. Most folks have severed their ties with communism because it became a corrupt system as demonstrated so clearly in "Animal Farm". But then the difference between the dream and the reality after some years is a great chasm. We see it in democracies (I know, it's a republic in the US and a parliamentary democracy in Canada, etc) too. Many Americans on this forum have expressed concern for the Constitution, and many feel disenfranchised. Here.

From the above link:

"PURE COMMUNISM
(Communalism)
You have two cows.
Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.
   
THEORETICAL
COMMUNISM
You have two cows.
The government takes both and gives you the milk.
   
APPLIED
COMMUNISM
You have two cows.
You have to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk.
You wait in line for hours to get it. It is expensive and sour.
   
CAMBODIAN
COMMUNISM
You have two cows. The government takes both and shoots you."

The site has cogent remarks about democracy, too.

" PURE
DEMOCRACY
You have two cows. Your neighbors vote to decide who gets the milk.
   
REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRACY
You have two cows.
Your neighbors vote for someone to tell you who gets the milk.
   
AMERICAN
DEMOCRACY
The government promises to give you two cows if you vote for it.
After the election, the president is impeached for speculating in cow futures.
The press dubs the affair "Cowgate".
   
BRITISH
DEMOCRACY
You have two cows.
You feed them sheep brains and they go mad. The government doesn't do anything."