Replies

"Your position is lame: The USSR fell with no war."

If you are looking for direct conflict between the USA & USSR, of course there was none. But this was a broader conflict. One between capitalism and communism. It contained several "hot" wars including Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and numerous other conflicts. The parties involved were not always direct conduits of either cause, but there was no mistake who was backing which side.

Yes, and the pope forcefully condemned commnism since his earliest years in office while extolling the virtues of a market economy - the only caveat being that a totally UNBRIDLED MARKET ECONOMY (materialism) offends man's dignity.

The following is almost verbatim from the official Catechism of the Catholic Church which he issued in 1995, paras. 2431-2432:

In addition to the fundamental preeminence of human life and dignity (criteria 1), the Catechism lays down a clear foundation of truth by which to evaluate any government policy or private initiative. All of the main principles of Catholic social teaching (subsidiarity, solidarity, stewardship, private property rights, human dignity, public health, the common good, the universal destination of goods, and security) are incorporated into this summary of criteria paraphrased from a short section of the Catechism:

2) Economic activity presupposes sure guarantees of individual freedom and private property, as well as a stable currency and efficient public services;

3) The principal task of the state is to guarantee this security, so that those who work and produce can enjoy the fruits of their labors and thus feel encouraged to work efficiently and honestly;

4) The state should oversee and direct the exercise of human rights in the economic sector;

5) Primary responsibility in the economic sector belongs not to the state but to individuals and to the various groups and associations which make up society;

6) Those responsible for business enterprises are responsible to society for the economic and ecological effects of their operations;

7) They have an obligation to consider the good of persons and not only the increase of profits;

8) Profits are necessary; they make possible the investments that ensure the future of a business and they guarantee employment.