Well, for me things are not black and white. So if you see things as either communist or non-communist (or equivalently, free-market or non-free-market), i.e. as binary, then, yes, it is a difference of degree.

But for me, there are more than just two such choices. There are dark side effects in choosing pure communism or in choosing pure free-market. My ideal world combines the good of both and avoids the bad of both. That is a difficult exercise.

A capitalist democracy with some socialist policies is one attempt at solving this exercise. It is far from a perfect solution. Similar to how pure communism or pure capitalism aren't perfect solutions either.

And I agree that pure communism will never ever be a good solution. It just doesn't fit with human nature. Plenty of examples on how all communist systems failed.

I respect your beliefs though. My beliefs are not purely rational, they are rooted in how I was brought up. I experienced the good of capitalism and I experienced the good of certain socialist policies.

This. The end game is the same for me.