Well, people can debate all they want about the differences between capitalism and communism. In reality they have become so similar that sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. In the end, both systems boil down to who has the money and the power. For example:

- In Communism wealth and political power are in the hands of a small Communist party elite that makes most of the decisions on how the government should be run.

- In Capitalism wealth and political power are in the hands of a small corporate elite that makes most of the decisions on how the government should be run.

- In Communism the masses are kept from revolting against the system by convincing them that the Communist system exists to ensure that all working class people are equal and endowed with political power through the "soviets" (or some similar system of people's council wich in effect has little political power).

- In Capitalism the masses are kept from revolting against the system by convincing them that the Capitalist system exists to ensure that all working class people are free and endowed of political power through elections (a voting system that gives people minuscule political power).

- Communism uses propaganda to make sure that the masses are convinced that their system is the best and that other systems are flawed and failed.

- Capitalism uses propaganda to make sure that the masses are convinced that their system is the best and that other systems are flawed and failed.

The great proof of how similar both systems are is the ease with which the US became really chummy with China and how both countries integrated their financial and economic systems into a system of cheap production and mass consumption.

Of course, neither capilaists nor communists want to accept that both systems are elitist and that people are free only as long as their actions do not threaten the power of the ruling elite and the economic elite. Both systems glorify individuals and engage in the cult of personality. Just as the USSR was fascinated by the cult (and hatred) of its communist leaders, so western countries are fascinated by the actions of its ruling politicians and multibillionaires. It is all the same thing, just packaged differently.