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]

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.