Goes equally for Mao/Stalin style communists.

I've had people (in person) quite literally tell me they are for a one party state government that works to make workers lives better. They say the government should consult with all stake holders, but I mean, this is functionally the same as any absolute ruling class consulting with the people below them.

People will always disagree, even in a future socialist world, and if one's idea of governance being benevolent dictatorship, then I think you're cooked to think that can ever work out in the long term.

Needless to say, I was not convinced, and surprised that this kind of thinking does exist on the left also (though much less commonly I'd say).

I'm for a socialist democracy actually controlled by the workers.