Doesn't communism propose a more equitable economic system. And hasn't communism failed everywhere it has been implemented causing more poverty and death?

Yes, communism does propose a more "equitable" economic system, but it has failed everywhere it has been implemented. Communism has resulted in economic inequality, poverty, human rights violations, and death in many countries. The most iconic examples of this are Russia and China, but other countries such as Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam also struggled under communist regimes. This is mainly due to the lack of personal freedoms and incentives to work or innovate within a communist system; without these benefits, the system simply cannot function in a sustainable manner.