This “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that “young men that were most able and fit for labor and service” complained about being forced to “spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children.” Also, “the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak.” So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.
Once again the true history shows that socialism/communism does not work. Many turn to parasitism to get their needs met. This is the road to starvation and many colonies and colonists travelled on that road until the met the free market. Even China has moved to a more free, Dengist, controlled market economy.