In fairness (and I'd like to point out that I am not a communist and never will be), there has never been a true communist country because none of the governments we've seen have actually abided by Marx's principles. Lenin adapted the theory into Marxism-Leninism, which is really a bastardization of the original. Anywhere else that has tried has been stunted by civil war (Russia and China) or stunted by a foreign power (Cuba, Indo-China, North Korea, Eastern Europe - which was already destroyed by 30 years of war).
Well, I don't begrudge you for trying to be objective, but I think a real question is 'can Marx's version of communism actually be implemented?' I seriously doubt it, and it would still be pretty bloody and without freedom if it could. Let's face it - Marx was an idiot.
