Fair, I’m not saying it’s a definition. This is Wikipedia we’re talking about. My point was more that a “communist state” (although the term is misleading) is really in active usage referring to a country with MLs in power that are working for the benefit of their citizens to achieve communism. That’s not an exact definition either, but it should convey the point well enough in terms of currently existing countries.

Marxist-Leninists do not argue that when you have a communist revolution that you'll just magically end up with communism. Look into the "dictatorship of the proletariat."

Just paint all means of oppression red and it’s going to be fine, amirite?

No, of course not. China has a strategy of democratic centralism, which actually seems to be a quite effective implementation of a democracy. Unlike in countries like the US, Chinese citizens are quite satisfied with their government.

Sure, but it's important to distinguish when a word is being used two different ways, and the only way to do that is define them.

There are people who use Lenin's definition of "socialism" as the name for the transitioning stage between capitalism and the communist goal in the Manifesto.

There are also people who use "socialism" to mean any time the government does any regulation or helpful policy of any kind.

This is nonsense and just you copping out.

The assassinations of MLK, Malcolm X, and Fred Hampton were just coincidences, then? Sure seems like any credible movement wound up being eliminated if it required any systemic change.

Certainly social democracy would be an improvement for the US people over what the US currently has.

Quick question, though, Wikipedia gives this definition of a communist state:

A communist state is a form of government that combines state leadership of a communist party, Marxist–Leninist political philosophy and an official commitment to construct a communist society.

How does this not apply to China? It sure makes sense to me that a communist forum would support a communist state...

tasked to discredit the left

Ah, yes, of course, the classic strategy of discrediting the left by using the viewpoints of the definitely not left wing movement of ... checks notes communism?