[A. Pole]

Freedom for other human beings is something we silly westerners actually desire for its own sake.

You regurgitate slogans. Most of people both in the West and East prefer money, comfort and security over freedom.

[ExSES]

Most of people both in the West and East prefer money, comfort and security over freedom.

That is about as succinct an observation as can be stated!

Reminds me of my long-departed Father-in-Law's distillation of human economic history: "The strong take it away from the weak and the smart take it away from the strong"....

[JasonC]

Actually, most people in "the east" seem to prefer drinking themselves to death by age 60 and never having children, because their future is so sunny and bright. But expect when they give nutjobs nuclear weapons, we love 'em just the same. When they do, though, we are implacable.