Symbols of America

[peacetraveler22]

For the past few weeks, Ilya Varlamov has published posts incorporating photos from Moscow in the late 1980's - early 90's. I love these! Amazing to see how the country looked right before the collapse of the USSR. In today's post, I saw this photo from 1990. A massive queue to enter the first McDonald's in Moscow! I can't imagine such a scene, or how this fast food chain symbolized so much to people at that time. In 1990, I was 17. A senior in high school, getting ready to graduate and enter university, and closely following events overseas.

What other places, items and things did Soviet citizens associate with America before the collapse? My aunt visited Russia in the early 1980's, and she told me stories about locals asking her for bubble gum and wanting to buy her Levi's, straight off her body. This is no joke.

This is what makes Russia so fascinating to me - very rich and diverse history, constantly shifting and changing. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Not sure how most Russians feel about the current direction in which Russia is moving...I hope you feel for the better, because it's depressing and sad to live in a place where you feel absolutely no hope or prospect for the future. I have never once felt this way about my life in America...

Comments

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

To me, freedom is the ability to live life as I please. To not feel burdened with the chores of everyday life. To constantly feel like there is opportunity to grow as a human being, and I feel all these things in America. Always have. Regarding free dentist, and safety, both exist in America. Do you know how many clinics there are that offer free medical services for the poor? Or how many American and Western doctors volunteer their skills to help the needy? Not only in America, but all over the world. Perhaps a lot of Russian doctors also do this, I'm not sure. I've never had to to deal with Russian medical or health services during any of my visits to Russia. Although I've certainly fallen on the ice and snow and busted my butt many times. :)

[krasnogorr.livejournal.com]

Ну, то есть, не готовы =) Лишиться джинсов ради того, что бы поднять нижнюю планку в обществе - это для вас непосильно, я правильно понимаю? Ну, то есть, пока один может жить как ему нравится, а другой ищет еду на помойке - это то, что вы чувствуете и то, что вам нравится в Америке?

Или волонтёры вместо системной медицины - это элемент свободы? Ты не достаточно обеспечен - этот врач тебе не поможет. Иди к волонтёру, может он анальгин выпишет.

А как вам перспектива стать наркоманом? Если отказаться от модных шляпок, но убить наркоманию - на это вы готовы?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I don't really understand your point. I feel absolutely no guilt for anything I own, or my prosperity in life. I worked hard my whole life, having a job since my teenage years, putting myself through university and a doctorate program. I've always financially supported myself, and buy what I want. Regarding drug addicts, the bottom of society, the less fortunate...I constantly help those in need through charitable work. I've written about it in my blog before. However, you can NEVER help people who are complacent in their misery and don't want change. These people exist in America, and many, many exist in Russia. To accept a shitty life as commonplace or the norm - it will never be me. Necessary to work to effect change - Americans are good at this. Our history has proven it.

[krasnogorr.livejournal.com]

Ну конечно же вы не понимаете. Это естественно. Вы же считаете, что сами всего добились. Подобно ребёнку, который думает, что еда сама появляется в холодильнике.

Но вот вопрос, а были бы вы тем, кто вы есть, если бы ваши родители были алкоголиками, а ваше ближайшее окружение любило наркотики, бандитскую культуру? Я думаю, что нет. Человека делает не только он сам, но и его окружение. Это подобно воспитанию. Из дерьма не родится алмаз.

Так вот, как вы думаете, если отобрать у одних джинсы и фаст фуд, но вынуть из дерьма дно общества - это разве не справедливо? Или лучше вы будете выбирать между КФС и Макдоналдс, а остальным отправлять необязательных волонтёров?

Российская история тоже многое доказала. Пока вы делили общество на чёрных и белых, у нас уже много десятилетий было равноправие всех полов и наций.

Чтоб труды не пропадали даром...

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Привет. Английский предполагает, что подлежащие и сказуемое всегда присутствует предложении и всегда сначала подлежащее, потом сказуемое, на считая вопросов, упрощённой речи и прочих вывертов, естественно. Поэтому, чтобы Шэнон могла понять вас, конструируйте текст на английский манер. Например "Из дерьма не родится алмаз" будет переведено переводчиком неправильно, поскольку сказуемое стоит первее подлежащего. Надо выражатся так "алмаз не рождается из дерьма", тогда перевод будет читаемым.Ну, и извините за занудство, но надеюсь я помог вам;)

Re: Чтоб труды не пропадали даром...

[krasnogorr.livejournal.com]

Шенон немного знает русский и способна перепроверить переводчик, так же, как и я, немного зная английский, сначала читаю оригинал и только потом перепроверяю себя переводчиком.

Re: Чтоб труды не пропадали даром...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I can't really understand the point of his argument? I should feel guilty because there are poor people in America, or people who can't go to dentists?

Re: Чтоб труды не пропадали даром...

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

It is obvious that this man regrets about the collapse of socialism, but he is more talking to himself than to you. His thoughts is muddled.
If you should feel guilty than only because do not consume hamburgers and therefore do not match the image of an US citizen :)

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

"
To not feel burdened with the chores of everyday life. To constantly feel like there is opportunity to grow as a human being, and I feel all these things in America.
"

But you don't have this freedom in USA.
You have to work for money.

Your opponent actually talks about freedom for everybody - freedom from poverty and fear of poverty and from the need to compete with others your entire life.

Actually, for me the capitalist society may produce a lot of things but morally it's totally disgusting.
People compete to draw as much money and other resources from others as possible.

Hard work and serving others are just means of getting money accessible for ordinary people like you and me.
Other clever people have more effective means of drawing money form masses.

For me capitalism is the society of slaves.
Freedom for most of us is limited to choosing the place where to serve.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I would like to live in the fantasy world you create in your mind! :)) Don't you also have to work for money in Russia, and all other countries of the world? Unfortunately, most of us are not born into a wealthy life where we are free to pursue all of our desires and intellectual pursuits, with no financial boundaries.

Capitalist society fosters creation, innovation and a good work ethic. Unlike the Soviet system, which in my mind, fostered a sense of laziness and entitlement. So, I prefer the capitalist approach. And how much you work in the capitalist system is your choice. For instance, if I wanted, I could work more hours each year and get at least a $40,000K bonus on top of my already large salary at the end of each December. But my time and sanity is more important. :) So, I don't do it.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

"
most of us are not born into a wealthy life where we are free to pursue all of our desires and intellectual pursuits, with no financial boundaries.
"

But Socialism gives a chance to build a communist society in the future where everybody will be able to do the above!
The _intent_ of everything which was done during Soviet times was to satisfy everybody's basic needs.
Yes, this system was not strong in giving fancy or fashionable things to those who wanted them and we had a very heavy burden of keeping up with USA in arms race.
But there were no poor people and social lifts worked rather well.
(Not like in America where generations of blacks have no practical way out)

In fact, there was some aberration in minds of young people at that time.
Being protected and having all the basic rights - right to work, to have at least one month of paid vacations, right for free education and healthcare, they dreamed of fancy colourful things from the West, as I described in another comment.

So we got all these fancy things in market economy but lost (at least partly) the basic things we had.

Thanks God, not completely:
russos. livejournal. com/1166153.html

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I saw Russos post, I follow this blogger. Unfortunately, I also spent yesterday in the hospital. That's why I didn't respond to comments sooner. Getting X-rays and all kinds of treatment for my nerve injury. :(

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

This is the right which needs protection more than the right to have a gun, isn't it?

www. newrepublic. com/article/120473/pregnancy-job-protection-case-highlights-limits-us-maternity-law

Russia is the best here :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

This article is an exaggeration! :) It's true, there are no U.S. laws which mandate it. However, most reputable organizations give paid time off. It's strange that a massive company like UPS would behave like this. For instance, my law firm gives two months of paid leave for mothers AND fathers. And you can take up to a total of six months off (four of which will be unpaid). My prior law firm gave three months paid after the baby was born. However, Russia definitely has a better maternity leave system. It makes sense, doesn't it? Seems many Russians consider the primary objective/purpose for a woman in life is to procreate. :))

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

"
However, most reputable organizations give paid time off.
"
I wonder how you are ready to rely on good will of capitalists. :)

This all means that you always need to have a good job: to have a good health insurance, to have paid days off, etc.
I believe that such basic things should not rely on your job.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is my mentality. :) Then you should like Obama, because many programs he has implemented have been called "socialist." Obama Care, extended unemployment benefits...

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

Yes, I like what he tries to do.
But about unemployed ... I have my own position.
I think that traditionally "left" and "right' measures should be combined to increase human potential of the nation.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I only like his immigration policies. Not much else.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

Proof that this economic system is not normal :))

www. express. co. uk/news/weird/544409/Grumpy-Cat-worth-more-than-Hollywood-stars

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Haha! :) Recently, I have had the same facial expression as that grumpy cat.

[klava-17.livejournal.com]

Regarding clinics for the poor... There are not so many clinics like that, especially in the South. I called a few clinics once, just to find out how it works... I found out that I wouldn't be able to get in, even if I was really in need of such a free service. Besides, they were not free, actually. They still wanted money. Would you like to find out more about this "free stuff" yourself? I challenge you:)