Russia and China Veto Secuirty council measures on Syria.

[rangerpl 13]

This isn't about loyalty to my Slavic heritage, it's about understanding what works and what doesn't. Explain to me why West Germany did so well while the GDR struggled. Explain to me why, under Communism, my parents had to stand in line for a store that would most likely be out of merchandise by the time they got there. They certainly don't have to do that now. Even back in Krakow, we could go to TESCO and buy a wide variety of goods.

Just for the record, I am not a supporter of the European Union. EU economic policy does nothing but drive up prices, which does not benefit us Czechs, Poles, Slovaks, etc. However, I am still a strong supporter of free market capitalism. It is the only economic system which has been proven to raise the standard of living.

Eastern Europe does so poorly right now because of the harm it received during its 40+ years of Marxist-Leninist socialism.

Capitalism in East Europe: You go to the store and can't buy everything because you can't afford to.

Communism: You go to the store and can't buy anything because the shelves are empty.

I'd rather be able to buy something than buy nothing. And it's not like it's getting worse every year.

Edited February 6, 2012 by RangerPL

[-martin- 10]

Funny, back in PRL-ruled Poland my family had a shitty apartment in downtown Krakow with no lifts, after moving to an evil capitalist state we now live in a two-story suburban house.

This isn't about loyalty to my Slavic heritage, it's about understanding what works and what doesn't. Explain to me why West Germany did so well while the GDR struggled. Explain to me why, under Communism, my parents had to stand in line for a store that would most likely be out of merchandise by the time they got there. They certainly don't have to do that now. Even back in Krakow, we could go to TESCO and

Just for the record, I am not a supporter of the European Union. EU economic policy does nothing but drive up prices, which does not benefit us Czechs, Poles, Slovaks, etc. However, I am still a strong supporter of free market capitalism. It is the only economic system which has been proven to raise the standard of living.

Eastern Europe does so poorly right now because of the harm it received during its 40+ years of Marxist-Leninist socialism.

Capitalism in East Europe: You go to the store and can't buy everything because you can't afford to.

Communism: You go to the store and can't buy anything because the shelves are empty.

1) Why Western Germany did so well and Eastern didn't.

- Marshall Plan, migrant workers

2) Why was Poland so poor ?

- Way too long to explain right now since its 1 at night here. But I can tell you that this isn't a problem of socialism, because in Czechoslovakia we had no such problem with waiting in line for food or food ever running out, we had more food then you could eat.

3) Eastern Europe did better before ww2.

- By the stories that I head from my grandparents I would strongly strongly disagree with that. Sure some wealthy middle class families in cities did well. What about the rest of the country that lived in villages? Wearing wooden shoes through your whole childhood doesn’t sound too fun.

4) In capitalism you can't buy anything, in commuism too.

You're right to a certain extent, this varies on the country you're talking about e.g. Poland vs Czechoslovakia.

In Czechoslovakia you could buy anything you wanted to, the problem was there wasn't much of a choice because we didn't have all these little petty Chinese products they had in the West. You have to understand that we didn’t have a Marshall Plan and a huge undestroyed country (US) to support us like the West did.

5) EU

I support you on that

I'd rather be able to buy something than buy nothing. And it's not like it's getting worse every year.

Nah, we just had a 100% price rise on everything last year in Cz. It's getting better.

Anyways, 'nuff of this, we need to get back on topic now. :o

Edited February 6, 2012 by -Martin-

[Lauxman 10]

I'd say more, but I figured Clint Eastwood would know how to annoy you people who butcher the English language like vilas even more.

[max power 21]

I'd say more, but I figured Clint Eastwood would know how to annoy you people who butcher the English language like vilas even more.

Lauxman

I speak English very well but you're getting on my nerves all the same.

+ 2 Infraction points for insulting Vilas about his english skills.

I will confer with the other moderators to see if they think a temporary post restriction is warranted. Abusing other forum members is not tolerated on these forums.

§1) No Flaming/Flame-baiting/bigotry

Abusive, racist, sexist, homophobic comments (or any other type of bigotry), personal attacks and name calling are not allowed either on the forum or through PM's. If you receive a PM that is abusive or you find offensive please forward it to a moderator who will investigate.

Flame-baiting is also not tolerated; flame-baiting is making a post to someone that is obviously intended to elicit an angry response. Mocking/teasing/ridiculing someone or the point someone wants to make is also flamebaiting. This also applies to other areas of the forums such as leaving visitor messages on people's profiles, messages posted in social groups, as well as quoting someone against their wishes in your signature to belittle/tease/mock them. If someone asks you to remove something they posted on the forum from your signature you must remove it. Common sense tells you that posting someone's PMs without permission is also flamebaiting and will be punished.

Edited February 6, 2012 by Max Power

[spooky lynx 73]

Here are some words from Russian writer and orientalist, who lives in Syria (in Russian, may be translated via Google).

[dysta 10]

This thread is now falling to a silly (political) dispute level.... shall we stay on topic or shall we call the master of locking keys?

+1

I am tired to continuing to see every news post goes political or forum member abuse just in few posts after...

[Lauxman 10]

Oh, but alluding to the Syrian government being justified in slaughtering hundreds of civilians is OK?

People are dying at this very moment, and this kind of garbage is allowed to be spread.

[franze 196]

Ok, this thread is done. It seems none of you can keep a reasonable discussion at all and given some of your records you should be much more careful about what and where you post on these forums if you have any plans of remaining here.