It functions as it was intended. The large forums exist to "make the case". If people posting in here have questions, we are happy to answer them. The SOP gives the outline, and it is fairly broad.

we do that everyday in many forums. I feel like every time I respond to a thread in General Discussion (or on most other websites - even FB) I have to explain myself before I even get started. Here we are supposed to have a protected environment in which we can discuss at another level - not just explain why we are anti-capitalist. Frankly it is tiring.

We can make our case to everyone in the other, more general, forums. And I do. This is for a little higher level discussion on theory, strategy, and tactics.

As to pre-emptively shutting down discussion, you're probably going to see less of that here than almost anywhere else AS LONG as you keep the discussion respectful and don't automatically discount socialist ideas.

I can live with that . . .

No one will be making any "case" with the term "comrades". Too Leninistic wouldn't you say? How about Socialist Brother or something; or Fellow Progressives .. but not "comrade".

Non-gender specific, non-classist . . .

No question there are demonized associations but the word is a good one.