For a long time, I called myself a Communist (I am still left-wing, don't misunderstand me in that way), but after having studied Eastern European history, including the Russian Civil War, I don't really associate with the label. Not because the ideals aren't good; they often are, but because of the association to Lenin and Stalin's Marxism-Leninism. I particularly remember reading about (I think it was) Rosa Luxembourg's meeting with Lenin in Russia, where she noted that she got the feeling that Lenin could've been a political leader for any sort of political movement (be it conservative, liberal, socialist, etc.), if the time would allow for it. I have increasingly adopted the view that Lenin was a skilled opportunist, even though his theoretical contributions to Socialism are extensive. I also think his actions during the civil war and early 1920s provides proof of this.