Marxist Blueprint: Identifying The Ten Planks of Communism and Forty-Five Communist Aims Found in Your Nation's Policies
In January 1963, a list of 45 goals, often referred to as the "45 Communist Goals for America," was read into the Congressional Record by US Congressman Albert S. Herlong Jr. This list, however, is distinct from the 10 planks outlined in the Communist Manifesto, a political pamphlet published in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
The 10 planks of Communism, as presented in the Manifesto, propose measures such as the abolition of private property in land, a progressive income tax, and the abolition of inheritance rights. While some of these ideas, like progressive income tax and public control of land use, are present in many capitalist democracies, they are typically implemented within a mixed-economy framework rather than full communism.
The "45 Communist Goals for America" includes objectives such as gaining control of student newspapers, the psychiatric profession, and key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. The implementation of these goals would depend on specific policies and whether they align with the stated objectives.
One of the most controversial goals is the internationalising the Panama Canal and the overthrow of colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. These goals have not been universally accepted or implemented in any significant way.
The Communist Manifesto also proposes the redistribution of land ownership and the use of land rents for public benefit (first plank), the provision of American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination (sixth goal), and the breaking down of cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity (twenty-fifth goal).
The Manifesto's Chapter II sets out the Communist Party's programme and its commitment to the revolutionary transformation of society. Some of the goals, like the gaining of control of student newspapers (seventh goal) and the setting up of East and West Germany as separate states (eighth goal), are more focused on political and social manipulation.
The debate around the relevance and implementation of these goals continues, with some viewing them as a warning of potential threats to democracy, while others consider them as conspiracy theories. It is essential to critically examine these goals and compare them with current policies in one's country to assess their potential impact.
- The "45 Communist Goals for America" aim to gain control over student newspapers, a strategy that some argue is still relevant today in the context of education and free speech.
- The implementation of science and health policy should be guided by evidence-based research, rather than any potentially controversial goals such as the internationalizing of the Panama Canal or the breakdown of cultural standards of morality as proposed in the "45 Communist Goals for America."
- Articles discussing the controversy surrounding the "45 Communist Goals for America" often touch on the debate about their relevance today, particularly in relation to contemporary policy-and-legislation and politics.
- In contrast to the goals outlined in the "45 Communist Goals for America," a focus on general-news reporting and objective journalism can help foster a well-informed society, promoting healthy debates and encouraging citizen participation in shaping their own policy decisions.