I have been living in Moldova (an ex-Soviet Republic) for the past 5years, and travel frequently to Moscow. I agree with a lot of the posters that say “the world is upside down”. I have seen more Capitalism here, in Ukraine and Russia that you can ever imagine.
Really reminds me of 1950’s America. There is essentially no “welfare” system, you make it on your own or get help from family or friends. If you depend on government handouts..you will starve.
The government stays out of your family life, whether its good or bad is up for debate but nobody is gonna come take your kids away cause you whack them on the butt for acting up in the supermarket. When I tell people here how children in the U.S. are taken away from parents by the state and put in foster care they are just in shock.
The Russian economy has been affected by the financial crisis, however when in Moscow recently, I asked myself “what financial crisis?” Stores packed with people buying stuff, restaurants full, traffic worse than anyplace I have ever seen in the states. The economy appears to be booming in Moscow at least, and certainly is here in Moldova.
Never thought I would ever live in this part of the world,and I certainly never thought I would ever live to hear a Russian prime minister warn the U.S. against the evils of socialism. Guess the Aliens land on the White House lawn next week.
How did you happen to end up living there, if I may ask.
Aliens all over DC.
There have been articles posted here over the years about Russia’s move into capitalism. It’s very interesting to hear it from someone living there, though.