Communism - what you think about it?

[GalomyOak]

It's really interesting, the conversation between Rona and Morian. I always try to see things for how they really are (and were), but in the US, we are also heavily influenced by our media - and our education (which sadly isn't often too different from the media). I guess I am from the "newer" generation, but I know in my parent's and grandparents generation, and maybe even the generation just before mine, there was the "anti-communist rhetoric" - and still the notion of "cash-strapped" countries persists, even though we know most of what we were told back then was all foolish propoganda... I also know from traveling, and living overseas and talking that "romantic" visions of the US exist too in other countries (I have neither hardcore gangster criminals nor dude ranches anywhere close to where I live. Nor are there huge Hollywood mansions - there are people living nearby who have neither electricity or running water). I guess the beauty of the internet is now we have access beyond the T.V, news, and textbooks - to real people. I cherish the sharing and stories that come from an international community! And I wish I hadn't needed an entry visa (which I didn't have) to enter Russia when I was right at the border a couple of years ago!

[draggar]

Marcy - I'm not much older than you and we were taught like that in school, too. Even after the Berlin Wall fell it was like that (of course, most of our books weren't 100% current anyway).

[Rona]

Originally Posted by GalomyOak

. I also know from traveling, and living overseas and talking that "romantic" visions of the US exist too in other countries (I have neither hardcore gangster criminals nor dude ranches anywhere close to where I live. Nor are there huge Hollywood mansions - there are people living nearby who have neither electricity or running water)

You're absolutely right. In the 'old times' some (not all, naturally) people in my country honestly belived that in the UK, USA, France and other so-called developed countries money lied in the streets and waited to be picked up. Unfortunately MacGyver, Dynasty, and similar productions were very persuasive.

Well, people have always belived, what they wanted to belive and we can see it even on this forum

[yukidomari]

Originally Posted by GalomyOak

I also know from traveling, and living overseas and talking that "romantic" visions of the US exist too in other countries (I have neither hardcore gangster criminals nor dude ranches anywhere close to where I live. Nor are there huge Hollywood mansions - there are people living nearby who have neither electricity or running water).

there are both gangsters and Hollywood mansions here, and I always have to wonder why anyone would choose to come here voluntarily I didn't..but, you're right, there are popular assumptions of the US as well.. I always ask my foreign friends after they stayed for some time, whether reality matched their preconceptions. Surprisingly, some have said yes..

[Silvester]

Originally posted by Rona:
"Well, people have always belived, what they wanted to belive and we can see it even on this forum"

Wise words - and very true !

[Rona]

Originally Posted by Silvester

Originally posted by Rona:
"Well, people have always belived, what they wanted to belive and we can see it even on this forum"

Wise words - and very true !

Thank you