I know that as an American, I’m supposed to believe our democratic republic is the superior system of government. I know I should automatically want democracy to spread to other countries. And I know I’m supposed to believe communism is against every ideal forming the foundation of our country.
I don’t believe any of that. After all, just because communists happened to be the villains for one “Indiana Jones” movie doesn’t mean they are evil, want to take over the world or hunt down aliens on a regular basis.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling for a revolution to overthrow Obama or anything (disappointing, to some people, I know).
Democracy works well for us and other countries. But across the globe for thousands of years, other forms of government have provided fruitful societies for their citizens. So, obviously, democracies don’t work for every group of people on earth and diverse governments ensure each country can find one that works.
Of course, communism hasn’t truly been beneficial when put into practice over long periods of time, and no one truly wants a classless society — but that doesn’t mean the theory doesn’t have its merits. The problem is the will of the people attempting to live communally, not the belief itself.
Most people see certain jobs as superior to others. While many parents encourage their children to become doctors, lawyers or engineers, they often shy away from accepting their offspring will be nothing more than a garbage collector or a cashier for a fast food joint.
Whether or not these perceptions of the job world are true doesn’t matter. What matters is that as long as people believe their life’s work is more valuable than someone else’s, no one will want to equally share wealth or be able to live peacefully.
In the United States, we chase the American Dream to rise in the ranks, get hefty pay raises and use said pay raises to buy more luxury items.
The days of clothing, shelter, food and water worries are gone for most of us. Now we focus on better clothes, better houses, better food, better electronics, better books, better accessories and a hundred other unnecessary items for survival.
It’s not a bad thing to enjoy material items — I do it all the time — but sometimes we get too caught up in stuff and forget the Spirit of Christmas and become an Ebeneezer Scrooge (minus the adventure with three ghosts). The idea of always wanting more conflicts with communism’s desire to provide satisfaction for everyone.
“The Smurfs” cartoon has been criticized over the years for apparently painting an idealistic version of communistic life. All of the Smurfs have different jobs and talents to produce something for the good of the community.
They share and provide for each other willingly and even go on crazy adventures to save wayward members of their close-knit group.
In fact, the only problems arise when characters put his or her individual self over everyone else  by trying to gain more power, glory or possessions.
This is only a cartoon, which may or may not have underlying communist messages, but when looked at a certain way, it shows what a proper communist utopia could look like.
If, for the most part, everyone cared about the common good and each other, instead of trying to one-up competitors, the world would be a better place.
If we valued each other’s skills equally, petty griping over who is greater would end. If we focused on building a world where no one had needs and everyone did his or her part to create a safe and happy environment, communism would be a wonderful foundation.
However, in the world we live in today, it’s doubtful anyone would be willing to work toward a communist utopia or would trust anyone else attempting to try.
Communism may become a natural order one day, but for now it remains a fantasy. A fantasy with merits that leads humanity to question current government and social systems, but a fantasy nonetheless.
For now, communism is simply a reminder of what we’re not and what could become a reality one day if we could reach our potential.
Through theories like communism, we can see the flaws in our capitalist system and personal values and try to change for the better.
At least, that’s what I think about the matter.
Then again, thinking back,  I was probably just brainwashed by pro-communist “The Smurfs” as a child.
Hannah Rogers is the assistant news editor for The Reflector. She can be contacted at [email protected].