22 Feb 2017 5:45 pm
Cannonpointer » 21 Feb 2017 1:59 pm » wrote: We forcibly removed the Cherokee from the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee to Oklahoma. A generation later, they were free to travel. Why are they still there, clem? Why haven't they gone back?
People tend to stay with what they have and what they know, when no one is pointing guns at them. The Eastern European nation states were aligned with and dependent on the USSR, even while being plundered by the USSR. They are now aligned with and dependent on the EU and NATO.
Separating oneself politically is IN AND OF ITSELF a revolutionary act. In the case of their departure from the USSR, it was done FOR them by an economic implosion. The only ones who actually half-assed "fought" for their "freedom" were the poles - and ron reagan stood staunchly beside lech walesa, I have to give him that.
The fact that capitalism, in the case of eastern europe, came calling with a gun in its hand is by no means invalidated by the fact that they continue to remain with the EU and NATO. ANY SYSTEM, including communism, tribalism, nudism and snake charmingism, is stronger with trading partners and loose borders and economic assistance - even plunder systems. Not to mention, capitalism is generally better than communism, ESPECIALLY to the degree that it's embraced by strong democratic systems as opposed to autocracies, as democratic systems will preserve SOME actual free market for small businesses - but all the big ticket items will be handled by the capitalist oligarchy.
You tell two implicit lies in your question. The first is that there are a myriad of wonderful choices that the former East Bloc nations are shaking their heads to, in a firm "no." The second is that if such were the case, they would have anything more than a pretense of free agency to embrace one of those wonderful opportunities.
You remind me of a petulant child when your silly cartoon roadmap is challenged - you cannot even admit that batteries of nukes targeting every major city is a threat. It's ike arguing with an angry six year old boy.
You are insane!!
