If philosopher Martin Buber once called the kibbutz the experiment that worked, Mishmar David provides a sobering study of an experiment that failed - an experiment in human nature, social organization, and communal living. The kibbutz idea is only feasible if you have mutual trust. During his four-year term as kibbutz secretary, which ended in November, the members voted to embark upon this course of action. They have already stripped themselves of many of the vestiges of kibbutz life. Everyone gets a salary, and pays income tax.
Most members work outside the kibbutz.
They buy their own food, clothing, school books, and medications. About the only thing the kibbutz still provides is a free laundry service. Nakar, still a disciple of the kibbutz idea, can hardly believe it's happening. We would have had him institutionalized. It was one of the few things they had agreed upon in years.