[js1138]

I used to wonder how the old USSR could have lasted so long until I realized that Western Europe propped them up for years, primarily out of fear, but also out of yearning for the "perfect socialistic state".

Leftists admired Stalin for the same reason they still admire Castro. Something about making the trains run on time, or perhaps universal health care.

I can't help but suspect that when Leftists think about socialism they envision themselves (and their children) as part of the ruling elite.

Right-wingers also have fantasies -- mostly about being successful entrepreneurs -- but these do not involve the use of force against others.

[VadeRetro]

... perhaps universal health care.

That's true. The doctors in the Gulags didn't charge. Of course, they didn't provide anything we'd call care, either. They weren't working for the zeks.

In a camp where you're being worked to death and starved at the same time, the camp doctor is just looking to see if there's any point in expending any more of even the tiny few resources being expended to keep you alive.

[Elsie]

...perhaps universal health care.

Which OUR country WILL have down the road a piece.

---

And it'll work Better than those OTHERS countries that have it!

(At least our controllers will tell us that.)

[Elsie]

-- but these do not involve the use of force against others.

Oh?

Depends on the definition of 'force'.