| First, Communism was committed to the eventual overthrow of all capitalist governments, so it is not like they were just going about their business. Second, there were no civil liberties, in fact, not much liberty of any kind (many "economic criminals"-- guys who took money on the black market for services rendered-- were sent to Siberia). Third, the only people with a nostalgia for the old system were apparatchiks and their dependents, and pensioners--- about 15 to 20 percent of the population. Reform Communists were somewhat more popular, but they supported democratic norms and were roughly espousing platforms like the western socialist parties. Given the economic dislocations, that was not so surprising. Fourth, we live in the freest, most prosperous country on earth, and our social problems are comparatively slight. There is such a thing as saying you love your country, only to slander it and compare it to a totalitarian dictatorship. I will leave it an open question as to where you stand...... |
