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Originally Posted by WI wide body
MRM, I think that you may have came to an incorrect conclusion per what I meant in that post. I totally agree with your assessment of the USSR's version of communism. My grandparents came from far Eastern Europe (actually right on the Russian border) so I have a quite intimate appreciation of what you said. What I meant was that communism/socialism per se is not bad...it's the way it's applied...and that's really not much different than what can evolve in a democracy...if you know what I mean. 
The monstrous human devastation you mentioned was of such a scale that it is still etched in the minds of many of those people. Few Americans realize this and they often cannot understand the attitude and fears of the people who went thru that horrific period.
The "communism" thing is exactly my point per China. Our government had no problem demonizing "communism" as it applied to the USSR but with China it is almost never mentioned. This omission becomes glaring when you start to pay attnetion whenever they speak about China. It was always "Communist" Russia or USSR but how often do you see any USA offical refer to "Communist" China?
Also, you and I may have a difference of opinion on exactly how much of an impact Reagan had on the fall of the USSR. During a trip to Germany I had a very interesting talk with a stranger when I was visiting Saxen-Hausen (sp) park in Frankfort. This was around 1982 and he told me that there was no doubt that "the wall" would be gone because in his opinion it already was mostly symbolic. He explained that he was a trader who regularly did business with both sides and that "the wall" was a farce. As things turned out, it was a quite remarkable conversation since his predictions turned out to be totally correct the way things developed.
That's why I always smile when people pretend it was a Reagan thing. |
The Wall may have been symbolic for western businessmen and tourists who could come and go as they pleased. But for those on the other side of it, it was very much a prison perimeter, which could get you killed for trying to cross it. Yes, I guess it really was symbolic....symbolic of what was needed for communist gov't. to stay in power and not let greener pastures deplete their captive population. No real communist country can allow free travel because the well-heeled party bosses and generals who run such states would have no serfs left producing for them if those serfs were allowed to travel. China even requires visas for its Mainland citizens to visit Hong Kong, yet I, as a U.S. Citizen, don't need one to visit Hong Kong.