Ramsey,
>Take the former USSR as an example. I cannot remember
>anytime in history that they have any form of democracy.
Russia did not have democracy before, but some
countries incorporated in the USSR or strong-armed by them
did.
> It is a totally irresponsible act of the self appointed
>world leader to coerce and strong arm this thing
> called "democracy" down their throat.
Thanks so much for caring about poor souls
with "democracy jammed down their throats".
If you had your way, all the countries occupied
by Russians would still be a part of the "glorious" USSR.
Thanks, I choose Mr. Reagan over Mr. Su. Even now.
>The leadership, the political infrastructure and above all,
> the people, are not ready for it. So a few opportunists took
> over and the people are screwed.
Mr. Su is so generously underestimating what
"people are ready for". When is the last time you
lived in Russia or any other Eastern European country?
Yes, we have problems with economy. Yes, there are
corrupt political opportunists in power, who
don't have a clue about running countries.
Yes, some people live worse than they lived during
socialism.
But don't tell me that people are not ready.
The conversion to capitalism and democracy is going on.
With a little bit of luck we'll go the way of Europe and
not the way of Indonesia.
>Just imagine what the US would be like if we wake up one
> morning and we are now all communists. We, having never
> lived under a communist system before, would have
>to start from scratch. How do you think our economy will
> function, not to mention our daily lives?
Better than you think. First of all, people
are very adaptable. Second, socialism is not an
efficient economical system, but it's not that different.
Imagine, that US Government nationalized all companies,
and ran them. What would change? European countries
did that to various degrees.
We can debate psychological and moral attitudes
of American vs. Russian people, but let me assure you
that they are not that different. You know, I'll go out
on a limb, and tell you that people throughout the
history of humankind haven't changed much. Some of
us would still feel at home among cannibals. :-))))
Good luck
Jurgis (from Lithuania and proud of it) |
