h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

From each according to his ability and to each according to his needs. It sounds pretty but ... those of the greatest ability become slaves to those with the most need. The "needs" of the most pathetic among us become a claim on the abilities of those who are most able.

Eventually, those men and women of ability "discover" that they can do just fine without the whining, sobbing, groveling, creatures who have become their masters. When that happens, they merely walk away from the collective and build their own lives.

You can not eat your seed corn and expect to have crops appear magically from the soil. You can not eat your and still have it to give to your neighbor.

Europe has traveled further down the communist path than the United States but both are making large strides. With each step, as they bleed their productive citizens for the benefit of the non-productive, they create the wounds that will eventually cause these powerful creatures to quit carrying them or, in the alternative, fester and kill the source of all their wealth and power.

Capitalism is neither easy nor perfect but at least those who think hard and work hard get the benefit of their own labour.