I Really Don't Understand The Left

[initforme]

We need leaders who have zero authoritarian views on any issues. Authoritarianism has zero place in america. The "live by our ideas and customs" crowd should be kicked to the curb.

 

[Dr.Know]

There is no "Left"

What we really have is Conservatives trying to preserve the Constitutional Republic versus the FBI trying to destroy the country in order for the New World Order to be able to proceed. FBI uses the LEFT ( that they created) to achieve their end.

Patriots vs Traitors to the Constitution.

 

[AntonToo]

Watch the Jeffrey Sachs video, he was the head economist charged with advising Russia by the GHW Bush administration.

​

Go to 4:45 and watch what he says until 11:05.

4:45 - 11:05​

He explains how the US refused to help Russia. They didn't send money as you claim. When Sachs offered the same economic program for Poland, the White House was in complete agreement and hence canceled 60% of their debt, and aided Poland to get on its feet financially. They refused to assist Russia, demanding full payment of all debts and denying Russia the assistance that it needed. These policies continued into the Clinton administration.

During the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia privatized all of its state-owned industries. This period saw the rapid rise of a group of businessmen who became the ruling oligarchal elite-class of Russia. They took advantage of the privatization process and the loosening of government controls under Mikhail Gorbachev's "perestroika" reform policies to amass vast fortunes and significant influence over key sectors of the Russian economy.

Vladimir Putin, upon assuming the presidency in 2000, was faced with a situation where these oligarchs had enormous wealth and political influence. Many Russians viewed the oligarchs with resentment, seeing them as having profited enormously while the vast majority struggled to survive. Putin believed that these oligarchs "looted" Russia during this time, a view that resonated with most Russian citizens.

Putin initiated a campaign to regain control over these major centers of economic power. This involved a combination of legal measures and political pressure to reduce the influence of the oligarchs, particularly those who challenged his authority or involved themselves in politics. This effort can be seen as a form of re-nationalization or at least a move towards greater state control over vital industries (these industries were completely state-owned in the Soviet era). Some prominent oligarchs who opposed Putin or became politically ambitious, like Mikhail Khodorkovsky, faced legal charges and imprisonment, while others were forced to align themselves with the Kremlin or leave the country. Many of them left and the ones who now remain in Russia are under the heel of Putin.

It's disingenuous of you to poopoo this:

View attachment 877103​

Russia's economy has grown exponentially since 2000. I explained in a previous post how the Ruble's collapse in 1998, and the Russian government's default on its debts, led to more government involvement in the economy, increasing productivity and hence confidence in the market, leading to a modest rise in GDP. Putin took it much further by essentially nationalizing the nation's industries that are vital to Russia's national infrastructure. He laid a firm foundation for Russia to develop its economy and is continuing to do that now. Is Putin perfect? No. Could he have done better? Yes. But for you to flippantly ignore the progress that Russia has seen in the last 23 years is simply dishonest.

Do you actually believe Russia would be better off under the rule of oligarchs in bed with Western elites? They will rape Russia again, and balkanize it (Breaking it up into several nations). Without a strong leader like Putin, Russia would be "gangbanged" by Western powers, including NATO. You've been brainwashed by American pop culture and the status-quo narrative that the US is simply "Spreading democracy throughout the world". You're so naive. We're an empire with 700+ military installations and bases around the world, and all our rulers (ruling elites) care about is FULL SPECTRAL DOMINANCE. That's the bottom-line. Power and control of the world's resources and markets. American politicians are in the pockets of the wealthy ruling-elites. Big Money.

Again a lot of words but no real response.

America could have HELPED Russia more than it has, but that wasn’t your claim. Your claim was that Russia somehow got raped by America.

1. Not helped enough by America.

2. Raped by America.

Do you understand VAST difference between the two?

P.S. your graph is unadjusted for real terms bullshit. Russian economy topped out in 2008 and there has not been much growth since.

 

[otto105]

LOL. Yeah, just like inflation is down. Crime is out of control. Even lefty cities know that.

Go look up the FBI crime statistics fuckup

 

[TruthNotBS]

Again a lot of words but no real response.

America could have HELPED Russia more than it has, but that wasn’t your claim. Your claim was that Russia somehow got raped by America.

1. Not helped enough by America.

2. Raped by America.

Do you understand VAST difference between the two?

P.S. your graph is unadjusted for real terms bullshit. Russian economy topped out in 2008 and there has not been much growth since.

I never said, "raped by America". You're now resorting to straw man arguments. Raped by laissez-faire, neo-liberal capitalism (Big-money-capitalists/oligarchs), which did include foreigners, including a few Americans, who purchased assets in Russia at pennies on the dollar. I didn't say "America raped Russia" financially. It created serious obstacles for Russia in developing its economy and it even began extending NATO into Eastern Europe, which created another challenge for Russia requiring a larger defense budget.

Your "PS" just proves you're not interested in evidence, but that's fine because I don't respond to your posts to change your mind anyway, I do it for others.

 

[AntonToo]

I never said, "raped by America". You're now resorting to straw man arguments. Raped by laissez-faire, neo-liberal capitalism (Big-money-capitalists/oligarchs), which did include foreigners, including a few Americans, who purchased assets in Russia at pennies on the dollar. I didn't say "America raped Russia" financially. It created serious obstacles for Russia in developing its economy and it even began extending NATO into Eastern Europe, which created another challenge for Russia requiring a larger defense budget.

Your "PS" just proves you're not interested in evidence, but that's fine because I don't respond to your posts to change your mind anyway, I do it for others.

Any Russian leader who gets in bed with the US, will hand over Russia to the American ruling elites. American capitalists, Western ruling elites will rape Russia, as they did in the 1990s.

So again, I ask, WHO RAPED RUSSIA IN THE 1990's and HOW?

The answer is NO ONE raped Russia, no one handed anything over to "American ruling elites". Russia's economic ruin was a result of it's failed long term attempts at making your command-and-control socialist wet dreams a reality.

Are there certain excesses possible in mostly capitalist economies? Sure, but everyone including Putin and most Russians intimately know that broadly socialist economy doesn't work and it was in fact that faulty economic ideological premise that led their to economic ruin. USSR's economy fell far behind, was not competitive with western countries and ultimately unsustainable. Something had to give and turning entire macroeconomic status quo upside down isn't going to happen without some major economic growing pains.

But of course thats not an answer socialist nutbags like you can accept, so you grasp for straws about them evil western capitalists and Jews that supposedly ruined Russia.

 

[TruthNotBS]

So again, I ask, WHO RAPED RUSSIA IN THE 1990's and HOW?

The answer is NO ONE raped Russia, no one handed anything over to "American ruling elites". Russia's economic ruin was a result of it's failed long term attempts at making your command-and-control socialist wet dreams a reality.

Are there certain excesses possible in mostly capitalist economies? Sure, but everyone including Putin and most Russians intimately know that broadly socialist economy doesn't work and it was in fact that faulty economic ideological premise that led their to economic ruin. USSR's economy fell far behind, was not competitive with western countries and ultimately unsustainable. Something had to give and turning entire macroeconomic status quo upside down isn't going to happen without some major economic growing pains.

But of course thats not an answer socialist nutbags like you can accept, so you grasp for straws about them evil western capitalists and Jews that supposedly ruined Russia.

The answer is NO ONE raped Russia, no one handed anything over to "American ruling elites". Russia's economic ruin was a result of it's failed long term attempts at making your command-and-control socialist wet dreams a reality.

They had a centrally planned - "command economy" in the USSR before perestroika. It was perestroika that led to its collapse. It was privatizing every sector of the economy, selling practically all state-owned assets (factories, mines, oil wells..etc) to capitalists which led to its economic collapse in the 1990s, from the second largest economy in the world to a third-world country. Those are the facts, that you're unwilling to recognize, due to cognitive dissonance and your ignorance of economics. I never asserted that Russia should return to a marketless, centrally planned economy. That's another straw man.

The reality is that Russia's current mixed economy is much better than the laissez-faire, neo-liberalism of the 1990s.

Are there certain excesses possible in mostly capitalist economies? Sure, but everyone including Putin and most Russians intimately know that broadly socialist economy doesn't work and it was in fact that faulty economic ideological premise that led their to economic ruin.

More straw man arguments. I never claimed that Russia should now adopt a marketless, non-profit-based economy. I continue to say "mixed" economy, not marketless communism. What led to the demise of the Soviet Union is much more complex than simply economics. The reality is a bit more nuanced than that. When the USSR had a centrally planned-command economy it industrialized quickly and became a world superpower, with the second-largest economy in the world.

In the future, due to advanced automation and artificial intelligence, economies are going to have to become more centrally planned or socialistic, that's the nature of production and technological progress. Capitalism relies heavily on wage-labor and without it or with not enough of it, there is no market or not a market worth investing in. However, I don't claim that mass-production must become non-profit and centrally planned now, because, at the moment, we don't have the infrastructure or the technology to do that. That's in the future, maybe in 40 years, or even 100+ years. Now, there's a place for markets and capitalism, hence I'm not for eliminating them.

But of course thats not an answer socialist nutbags like you can accept, so you grasp for straws about them evil western capitalists and Jews that supposedly ruined Russia.

Insults are generally a refuge for weak minds and arguments. I simply state historical, verifiable facts and what is obviously true, with plenty of evidence, which you conveniently flippantly dismiss with your magic wand. That's fine, because like I said, I don't respond to your disingenuous posts to convince you of anything, but rather for the sake of others.

 

[AntonToo]

They had a centrally planned - "command economy" in the USSR before perestroika. It was perestroika that led to its collapse. It was privatizing every sector of the economy, selling practically all state-owned assets (factories, mines, oil wells..etc) to capitalists which led to its economic collapse in the 1990s, from the second largest economy in the world to a third-world country. Those are the facts, that you're unwilling to recognize, due to cognitive dissonance and your ignorance of economics. I never asserted that Russia should return to a marketless, centrally planned economy. That's another straw man.

The reality is that Russia's current mixed economy is much better than the laissez-faire, neo-liberalism of the 1990s.



More straw man arguments. I never claimed that Russia should now adopt a marketless, non-profit-based economy. I continue to say "mixed" economy, not marketless communism. What led to the demise of the Soviet Union is much more complex than simply economics. The reality is a bit more nuanced than that. When the USSR had a centrally planned-command economy it industrialized quickly and became a world superpower, with the second-largest economy in the world.

In the future, due to advanced automation and artificial intelligence, economies are going to have to become more centrally planned or socialistic, that's the nature of production and technological progress. Capitalism relies heavily on wage-labor and without it or with not enough of it, there is no market or not a market worth investing in. However, I don't claim that mass-production must become non-profit and centrally planned now, because, at the moment, we don't have the infrastructure or the technology to do that. That's in the future, maybe in 40 years, or even 100+ years. Now, there's a place for markets and capitalism, hence I'm not for eliminating them.



Insults are generally a refuge for weak minds and arguments. I simply state historical, verifiable facts and what is obviously true, with plenty of evidence, which you conveniently flippantly dismiss with your magic wand. That's fine, because like I said, I don't respond to your disingenuous posts to convince you of anything, but rather for the sake of others.

I will repeat one last time: WHO RAPED RUSSIA IN THE 1990's and HOW?

You think you can actually answer a question directly for once?

Everything you talk about was a choice Russians themselves made, no one else.

If you no longer think thats a sustainable assertion then just admit that and move on instead of wasting everyone's time pretending that you are answering something when you aren't.

 

[TruthNotBS]

I will repeat one last time: WHO RAPED RUSSIA IN THE 1990's and HOW?

You think you can actually answer a question directly for once?

Everything you talk about was a choice Russians themselves made, no one else.

If you no longer think thats a sustainable assertion then just admit that and move on instead of wasting everyone's time pretending that you are answering something when you aren't.

I don't care if you ignore the answer and pretend it's inadequate. Others can read our posts and come to their own conclusions.

 

[AntonToo]

Your "PS" just proves you're not interested in evidence, but that's fine because I don't respond to your posts to change your mind anyway, I do it for others.

??? Do you or do you not understand that GDP needs to be adjusted for inflation and put in REAL terms?

As I previously explained, graph you posted is misleading, unadjusted bs posted on Wikipedia by some “Nikolay”

Russia’s GDP growth since 2008 (when energy prices topped out) has been meager and lagging far behind countries like Poland and Litva.

You are the one here not interested in serious economic evidence.

 

[Mac1958]

We need leaders who have zero authoritarian views on any issues. Authoritarianism has zero place in america. The "live by our ideas and customs" crowd should be kicked to the curb.

Neither end of our political spectrum is showing any interest in changing hearts & minds. That has been replaced by trying to "beat" the other.

So that naturally lends itself to authoritarian-like behaviors when they have the advantage. "We're gonna to do this my way, and tough shit".

Somehow we haven't figured out that people don't like being treated like that, and will respond in kind. Then it just keeps escalating.

 

[TruthNotBS]

??? Do you or do you not understand that GDP needs to be adjusted for inflation and put in REAL terms?

As I previously explained, graph you posted is misleading, unadjusted bs posted on Wikipedia by some “Nikolay”

Russia’s GDP growth since 2008 (when energy prices topped out) has been meager and lagging far behind countries like Poland and Litva.

You are the one here not interested in serious economic evidence.

Russia would be in an even worse situation if it was still implementing the economic policies of the 1990s. Despite the economic sanctions imposed by Western powers, Russia is still in a much better position now economically than 25 years ago under laissez-faire capitalism and unaccountable oligarchs.

The cost of living is pretty low in Russia even for someone who earns an average wage.

​

Inflation is a symptom of markets and can be mitigated by government policies, even when being sanctioned by a superpower like the US which controls the world's reserve currency and banking system. The less a government is willing to intervene or "interact" with the economy, the more problems it faces with inflation.

 

[AntonToo]

Russia would be in an even worse situation if it was still implementing the economic policies of the 1990s. Despite the economic sanctions imposed by Western powers, Russia is still in a much better position now economically than 25 years ago under laissez-faire capitalism and unaccountable oligarchs.

Baseless assertions.

60% of Russian GDP are energy exports, what the hell do you think happens to it when global energy prices TRIPPLE?

Russia's economy is mostly hinged on selling whatever is under their feet.

 

[TruthNotBS]

Baseless assertions.

60% of Russian GDP are energy exports, what the hell do you think happens to it when global energy prices TRIPPLE?

Russia's economy is mostly hinged on selling whatever is under their feet.

This per-capita GDP graph is much better:

World Bank Open Data

Free and open access to global development data

data.worldbank.org

Right? You haven't said anything. Russia is one of the wealthiest nations on Earth when it comes to its natural wealth, so of course they will sell their natural resources on the international market. All of the graphs you've presented make my point that the Russian people are much better served with the current economic system than what they had in place in the 1990s.

 

[AntonToo]

This per-capita GDP graph is much better:

World Bank Open Data

Free and open access to global development data

data.worldbank.org

Right? You haven't said anything. Russia is one of the wealthiest nations on Earth when it comes to its natural wealth, so of course they will sell their natural resources on the international market. All of the graphs you've presented make my point that the Russian people are much better served with the current economic system than what they had in place in the 1990s.

....the graph you've just posted shows that there has been ZERO real per-capita growth in Russia for over a decade...and thats WITHOUT data since the war started.

In that same decade the world per-capita GDP grew by ~30%. Poland's and Latvia GDP per capita grew by ~40%. It's almost like SOMETHING is holding Russia back. Hmmm what could that be.

 

[TruthNotBS]

....the graph you've just posted shows that there has been ZERO real per-capita growth in Russia for over a decade...and thats WITHOUT data since the war started.

In that same decade the world per-capita GDP grew by ~30%. Poland's and Latvia GDP per capita grew by ~40%. It's almost like SOMETHING is holding Russia back. Hmmm what could that be.

Poland has several state-owned enterprises (SOEs) operating in various industries. These industries include:

1. Energy and Mining: PGE (Polska Grupa Energetyczna), Tauron, and Enea. The largest power-producing companies in Poland.
2. Banking and Finance: The largest banks in Poland are partially state-owned, such as PKO Bank Polski and Bank Pekao.
3. Oil and Gas: The Polish oil and gas industry has significant state ownership, with companies like PKN Orlen and Lotos Group.
4. Transport and Logistics: This includes companies in railways, aviation, and postal services, such as PKP (Polish State Railways), LOT Polish Airlines, and Poczta Polska.
5. Defense: The defense sector also has state-owned entities involved in the production and supply of military equipment.
6. Telecommunications: Certain telecommunication companies are partially state-owned, like Orange Polska.

• 
  Universal Healthcare: Poland provides universal healthcare to all its citizens and residents through the National Health Fund (NFZ).
• Education: Education in Poland is also universal and mandatory for children from the age of 6 to 18. The system includes free access to primary and secondary education, and the government also provides higher education institutions where students can pursue university-level education, often with minimal or no tuition fees for Polish citizens.

Does the above sound like Milton Friedman's "free-market", and "privatize every nook and cranny of the economy" capitalism to you, Anton? Do you know what Republicans call what you just read about about Poland? SOCIALISM. COMMUNISM.

It's just a mixed economy, but since American right-wing Republicans like to exaggerate, labeling any economic model or effort that doesn't privatize EVERYTHING, as "SOVIET COMMUNISM". Why do you continue to mention Poland, as if it somehow supports your laissez-faire capitalism, when it doesn't?

Poland like Russia has mixed economies, but it has the added benefit of being part of the European Union, with all of the perks and assistance that come with its membership, and isn't sanctioned (economically embargoed / assaulted) by the United States and Western Europe.

Poland was even permitted to join NATO, while Russia was barred from joining in the 1990s. When Putin asked Clinton in 1999 if Russia could join, Clinton essentially said NO.

The growth pattern of Russia's GDP from 1999 to 2013, followed by stagnation in per capita growth since then, can be attributed to several key factors, which I will explain now but before that, I want to remind you that with laissez-faire, Milton-Friedman "shock therapy" economics, which led to the looting of Russia's major state-owned assets, the Russian economy was in shambles. Unemployment was much higher in the 1990s:

​

Your claim that GDP must always be growing for people to have food, housing, and a decent standard of living is false. What's most important is whether people have an income, food, affordable housing, healthcare, education, public transit, friends and family ..etc. Since 2013, Russia's GDP hasn't done much, but that's OK, given where Russia has come from. Not all countries have the same history or background, nor are the circumstances of their development the same.

 

[AntonToo]

The growth pattern of Russia's GDP from 1999 to 2013, followed by stagnation....but that's OK, given where Russia has come from.

No, it's not "ok".

Russia is a repressive, corrupt state with no real political process of competition for ideas.

It's economic stagnation is a direct result of it's broken social and governing system, and it was Putin more than anyone that has brought Russia into this historic ditch and shameful travesty in Ukraine.

"Putin means war" - Nemtzov has said it early on. He was one of the people shot, exiled or jailed for daring to be a political threat. Putin supposedly "loves his country" but weasels like him never let their country, law, or good governing principles get ahead of their raw addiction to power.


Find some other country to use for your nationalization shpiels. I don't really care for them as you could probably tell, but for god's sake, only an ignorant fool would use Russia of all countries as a model for much of anything.

 

[TruthNotBS]

No, it's not "ok".

Russia is a repressive, corrupt state with no real political process of competition for ideas.

It's economic stagnation is a direct result of it's broken social and governing system, and it was Putin more than anyone that has brought Russia into this historic ditch and shameful travesty in Ukraine.

"Putin means war" - Nemtzov has said it early on. He was one of the people shot, exiled or jailed for daring to be a political threat. Putin supposedly "loves his country" but weasels like him never let their country, law, or good governing principles get ahead of their raw addiction to power.


Find some other country to use for your nationalization shpiels. I don't really care for them as you could probably tell, but for god's sake, only an ignorant fool would use Russia of all countries as a model for much of anything.

No, it's not "ok".

Given the evidence, it certainly is at the very least "OK". It has improved its economy with Putin since 1999, exponentially, but since you have an irrational ax to grind against Russia and Putin, you refuse to acknowledge its economic achievements.

Free-market shock therapy with its mass privatization of state-owned assets was a complete disaster for Russia and it wasn't until Putin's economic reforms that we saw a marked improvement in Russia's economy.

​

​

Putin's economic strategy since 1999 has been pivotal in transforming Russia's economy, demonstrating the effectiveness of increased state control and strategic planning. This approach starkly contrasts with the neoliberal "shock therapy" policies of the 1990s, which led to economic turmoil and social distress in Russia.

Your mention of Poland and other European countries that also saw dramatic improvements in their economies in the last 33 years only proves my point that mixed economies, with significant state ownership and participation, are more successful and robust than American-style neoliberalism which privatizes every nook and cranny of the economy. leading to gross inequality and an endless series of boom and bust business cycles, requiring massive government bailouts of private companies and state intervention.

1. Nationalization of Key Industries: Putin's move to nationalize major industries, particularly the oil industry, stands as a testament to the benefits of state control in critical economic sectors. This nationalization allowed for more strategic resource management, stability in production, and ensured that the profits from these industries could be reinvested into the Russian economy.
2. Diversification Beyond Oil: While oil and natural resources remain central to the Russian economy, there's been notable progress in diversifying into other sectors under Putin. The nuclear energy sector is a prime example, with Russia expanding its capabilities and becoming the top exporter of uranium for nuclear plants worldwide. This diversification is a strategic move that reduces reliance on a single commodity and paves the way for a more balanced economy.
3. Economic Resilience Against Sanctions: Despite facing economic sanctions from the US and EU, Russia under Putin has shown remarkable resilience. This resilience is a clear indication of the strength and effectiveness of Putin's economic policies. The ability to sustain and grow the economy in the face of external pressures highlights the strategic foresight of increasing state involvement in key sectors.
4. Improved Living Standards and Employment: Contrasting sharply with the 1990s, the Putin era has seen significant improvements in living standards, with increased incomes and reduced unemployment. This success is directly attributable to the economic reforms that focused on job creation and wealth redistribution, ensuring that the gains from nationalized industries and economic growth translated into tangible benefits for the Russian populace.
5. Challenging Global Economic Structures: Putin's economic policies go beyond national interests, challenging the global economic status quo. The formation of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) as an alternative economic bloc is a bold step towards challenging American economic hegemony and the centrality of the USD as the world's reserve currency. This move is indicative of Putin's vision of a multipolar world where economic power is more evenly distributed.

Russia is a repressive, corrupt state with no real political process of competition for ideas.

Putin's approval ratings in Russia are quite high:

Putin approval rating Russia 2024 | Statista

Vladimir Putin's popularity level saw a slight increase in February 2024. The vast majority of Russians approved of activities of their country's president.

www.statista.com

Your neoliberal, Western imperialist ideas aren't very good and that's why you see Russia as a tyrannical state and ignore all of its achievements in the last 24 years since Putin came to power.

It's economic stagnation is a direct result of it's broken social and governing system, and it was Putin more than anyone that has brought Russia into this historic ditch and shameful travesty in Ukraine.

You sound delusional.

"Putin means war" - Nemtzov has said it early on. He was one of the people shot, exiled or jailed for daring to be a political threat. Putin supposedly "loves his country" but weasels like him never let their country, law, or good governing principles get ahead of their raw addiction to power.

A defender of Russian oligarchy and plutocracy, no wonder you sound so delusional.

Find some other country to use for your nationalization shpiels. I don't really care for them as you could probably tell, but for god's sake, only an ignorant fool would use Russia of all countries as a model for much of anything.

Only a brain-dead deluded imbecile would defend the laissez-faire, "free-market" shock therapy Russia endured in the 1990s with disastrous consequences and pretend Putin's economic reforms in the last 24 years haven't significantly improved Russia's economy.

 

[Markle]

Poland has several state-owned enterprises (SOEs) operating in various industries. These industries include:

1. Energy and Mining: PGE (Polska Grupa Energetyczna), Tauron, and Enea. The largest power-producing companies in Poland.
2. Banking and Finance: The largest banks in Poland are partially state-owned, such as PKO Bank Polski and Bank Pekao.
3. Oil and Gas: The Polish oil and gas industry has significant state ownership, with companies like PKN Orlen and Lotos Group.
4. Transport and Logistics: This includes companies in railways, aviation, and postal services, such as PKP (Polish State Railways), LOT Polish Airlines, and Poczta Polska.
5. Defense: The defense sector also has state-owned entities involved in the production and supply of military equipment.
6. Telecommunications: Certain telecommunication companies are partially state-owned, like Orange Polska.

• 
  Universal Healthcare: Poland provides universal healthcare to all its citizens and residents through the National Health Fund (NFZ).
• Education: Education in Poland is also universal and mandatory for children from the age of 6 to 18. The system includes free access to primary and secondary education, and the government also provides higher education institutions where students can pursue university-level education, often with minimal or no tuition fees for Polish citizens.

Does the above sound like Milton Friedman's "free-market", and "privatize every nook and cranny of the economy" capitalism to you, Anton? Do you know what Republicans call what you just read about about Poland? SOCIALISM. COMMUNISM.

It's just a mixed economy, but since American right-wing Republicans like to exaggerate, labeling any economic model or effort that doesn't privatize EVERYTHING, as "SOVIET COMMUNISM". Why do you continue to mention Poland, as if it somehow supports your laissez-faire capitalism, when it doesn't?

Poland like Russia has mixed economies, but it has the added benefit of being part of the European Union, with all of the perks and assistance that come with its membership, and isn't sanctioned (economically embargoed / assaulted) by the United States and Western Europe.

Poland was even permitted to join NATO, while Russia was barred from joining in the 1990s. When Putin asked Clinton in 1999 if Russia could join, Clinton essentially said NO.

The growth pattern of Russia's GDP from 1999 to 2013, followed by stagnation in per capita growth since then, can be attributed to several key factors, which I will explain now but before that, I want to remind you that with laissez-faire, Milton-Friedman "shock therapy" economics, which led to the looting of Russia's major state-owned assets, the Russian economy was in shambles. Unemployment was much higher in the 1990s:

View attachment 877897

View attachment 877929
​

Your claim that GDP must always be growing for people to have food, housing, and a decent standard of living is false. What's most important is whether people have an income, food, affordable housing, healthcare, education, public transit, friends and family ..etc. Since 2013, Russia's GDP hasn't done much, but that's OK, given where Russia has come from. Not all countries have the same history or background, nor are the circumstances of their development the same.

 

[scruffy]

Trump ain't gonna win. He tried to invalidate the votes of 81 million people. He's hated

Horseshit. Counting votes is not invalidating them, dimtards.

It is the Constitutional duty and responsibility of this idiotic government to guarantee a fair vote.

They FAIL. They are not in a position to guarantee a single fucking vote.