Although I’m sure you understand the problem, many do not.
A Communist believes that true equality CAN be possible and IS possible, with everyone sharing the work load, the food, their possessions, and everything. If life really worked that way, it would indeed be ‘Paradise’.
However, in REALITY (the one thing the true Communist can’t adjust to), people have this God-given thing in them called AMBITION. Ambition in it’s ‘good’ form drives people to make things and do things for the betterment of mankind. Ambition in its ‘bad’ form, also known as ‘greed’, makes people do things for the betterment of themselves. Humans are hard-wired with this.
To those who are greedy, a Communist society is excellent. As they rise to positions of power, they tell the people “I’ll be in charge until we get to that place where I am not longer needed. When we achieve True Communism, I will take my place among you all”. In the mind of any rational person, they KNOW, deep in their heart of hearts that there is NO WAY that person will EVER step down. In fact, they will attempt to gain more and more power until they have power over ALL.
Lenin knew this, Stalin knew this, and every leader in the Communist world knew or knows this. Some were more open about it than others and didn’t even bother to disguise their naked ambition.
Sadly, the ‘average American socialist/communist’ (or the average American who CHOOSES to stay ignorant about what they believe) has swallowed the idea that equality is possible. Those in the American socialist/communist elite keep telling them that, even though they know it not to be true.
And so it goes.
Maybe on a small-scale level, say on a Kibbutz, but other than that...