It’s a pity the Russians didn’t enforce the constitution they had.
The Soviet Constitution shared more than a few similarities with the US constitution. The rights to home security, property, private correspondence, freedom of religion & conscience, equality before the law, and the right to earn/keep earnings and to leave inheritances were all there.
All considered, it wasn’t bad for peoples who had only known Mongol hordes and Czars for the past thousand years.
Despite these guarantees, the Soviet Union was a slave state from its inception. How could oppression live side-by-side recognized assurances of so many personal rights?
Slavery was certain because the Soviet system lacked institutions designed to secure liberty.
Similar to post-1913 American governance, the Soviet constitution set up internal contradictions. While it guaranteed certain rights and free will, the Soviet constitution purposely neglected to provide governing institutions to secure those rights.
At least history provided Russians with an excuse, for they had never known free government.
History doesn’t leave Americans such an easy out. Since the 17th Amendment, America has transformed from the freest nation on earth to one on the cusp of hard tyranny.
Oh, and the Soviet Union had elections too.
It is long past time to reclaim free government. The 17th Amendment must go.
Russia didn't do that.
Plus there's huge incentives for the power 'elties' of any country to take over because 'it's easier' and besides the elties always think they're smarter than the people. Look at the 51 'intelligence' thugs and goons who signed the letter about Hunter's laptop being Russian Disinformation.. - there's NOT ONE of 'em who doesn't think they're smarter than average citizens - and smarter than elected officials. AND that THEY could make better and FASTER decisions.
Sadly for all of us that type when they do get power create totalitarian hellholes.Every time.
WHEN THEY have the power - their first step is to take out people who might not agree on how wonderful they are. Because in their minds 'they have to 'maintain order. Here, there, and everywhere it never works.
Intelligence 'elites' can't point to one country where a band of intelligence or military 'elites' took over and it worked. Well, worked for the country - not just for themselves.