Thought about it, but totally didn't get it

I read the Bernstein vs. Luxemburg articles, but I don't seem to have gotten anything out of them, except immense confusion. No doubt this has something to do with the fact that I didn't really understand the excerpt from the Communist Manifesto.

Maybe it's the nineteenth-century wording. Maybe it's my upbringing in this bastion of capitalist activity we call America. Maybe it's second block and my mind is too wrecked to understand anything. I don't know, but I don't understand communism. I get socialism, socialism makes sense to me. But this nonsense about eliminating class distinction?About people voluntarily making property a common commodity? About the human race reaching a point when we can provide as from everyone's abilities to each of their needs? It just seems so illogical.

I guess the problem is that I don't really understand why Marx and Engels and all those who followed in their footsteps think capitalism is so bad. I agree that there is a problem with the wealthy exploiting the poor, but I don't think equal distribution of property is the way to fix it. Reforms like some of those suggested in the Manifesto, such as quality education for all, are the way to go in equalizing a society. If people are provided with equal opportunity, they can take that opportunity and use it as they please.

I also don't understand why everyone thinks that the collapse of society and general chaos are a good direction for life to be headed in. According to the theories, the utopia of communist ideals will follow said chaos, but shouldn't we be the least bit concerned about all the destruction and death that will no doubt occur during this period? Wouldn't it be better to, say, slowly transform through reform and broad social and ideological movements?

Whatever. I don't get it.