Hey, new Reddit user here, and for a while - about six months to a year -, I've been struggling with my political identity. I know I am a socialist at heart, and probably a communist truly; however, I do not know how to best label my ideology to explain my steps to achieving it. That is, explaining without going into every single bit about my ideology. Besides, it'll help me learn more about myself. I have a few main points:

1. Socialism , and furthermore communism, can only occur under revolution; however, we should do the best we can to work within our current system. Even if democracy under capitalism mostly goes only but to the rich, we should still try in all three: local, state, and national elections, to reform the system for the better of humanity. Peace is fine and capitalist reformism at least works in the short-term to help workers, families, scholars, and all else.
2. Peace should be tried first before violence. Going back to my previous point, I believe that reformism works well in the short-term, so it should be tried when applicable. Revolution will come in due time, but trying violence before then can often alienate people from our cause. We already live in a nation where the most people are fearful of socialism, so to incite violence when there is just a simple riot to be had, is just counterproductive. Besides, in the words of Contrapoints: “Why riot when you could have 20,000 counter-protesters?”.
3. Democracy is ultimate and absolute. To have socialism without political democracy, is simply just the same thing as our current capitalist establishment, but flipped from economics, to politics. I do agree that true democracy, as in workplace democracy, cannot exist under capitalism; however, that doesn't mean we should give up the people's political freedom in pursuit of that goal. I do realize that Lennin & Mao had no choice, being that most of the population of Russia and China consisted of peasants.
4. Education is the most important goal, even more-so than anything else. It will be what leads the nation ,and the world, into prosperity. It will better increase science, healthcare, education (even more), architecture, arts, humanities, and etc.. It is the most important reformist goal; education surely does need an overhaul.
5. After the revolution happens, there will need to be a short period where the leaders of the revolution set up the means to democracy. Democracy does not happen overnight, and I realize this. However, the period should be limited to the bare minimum necessary. When over, all power should be given over to a popular vote, but only the vote of the proletariat.
6. Queer rights are very important. I myself am a queer person myself – Pansexual and Transgender -, so I know what it's like to be a part of a society that not only disregards, but oppresses your entire existence. Just like the struggle between the proletariat and his masters, there is a constant struggle between the queer and her oppressors.
   

7. Let science and farmers have a mixture of control of crops and livestock. They both will know what's best, and will work together well. Hopefully, after a while, the GMO scare in America will be over. I am a firm believer of GMOs bringing around the best possible crop yields, even if people are scared of them.

   There are, most likely, many things that I forgot to mention. I wrote this on the fly because I really needed help with this. I will answer most questions in the comments about my ideology if asked, but this is not meant to be a debate. I will not debate you on this thread, but maybe another. I am simply just looking to see what ideology I best fit with.

(Also posted to Communism101)