[Gay State Conservative]

When doing a general analysis of this subject I'm inclined to say...”if you want to know the difference just study North & South Korea and East & West Germany”.Those are the two perfect laboratories.In fact you can,while you're at it,study Red China and Taiwan.Another excellent laboratory.

[rktman]

Like I said in some post yesterday, when I was about 15, (’62) my Dad was stationed in England and my Mom and I took a trip to Germany. We stayed a couple days in Berlin and I had the opportunity to cross over to East Berlin through Checkpoint Charlie. It was a slap in the face to see what the East was enduring while the West was thriving. Still huge mounds of WW II debris/rubble 17 years after the end of the war. Few shops, few people on the streets, few cars and just a visceral depressing feeling. I was more than happy to pass back over to the West. I have a map I had laminated showing the divided city at that time. Young folks go “Huh?”. They have no clue of what oppression really is. Guarantee they wouldn’t like it.

[MarkL]

It also wouldn't hurt to take a look at Venezuela. Since it went "socialist," one of the wealthiest, resource rich countries in South America has become a basket case.

Mark