Reply #105: So? [View All]

The Soviet Union no longer exists, and Russia encompasses much of what was once the Soviet Union. In short, Russia is recognized by many as the current incarnation of the former Soviet Union. BUT, all of this is beside the point.

Naomi Klein's Shock Doctrine and Marilyn French's Beyond Power have helped me understand how capitalism promotes greed and entrenches its sycophants in a financially stultifying hierarchy, which concentrates power and wealth in the hands of a VERY few at the expense of the very many. I am never surprised when someone born and raised in capitalism fights tooth and nail to defend it, because that is how the system works: dangling the proverbial wealth carrot so that the hoi polloi is deluded into believing 'we too can be wealthy if we just work hard enough and live frugally.'

Lastly, if we MUST play the blame and shame game, let's lay that blame precisely where it belongs: at our own feet. Our species is perniciously hedonistic. Now that it's time to 'pay the Piper,' we'd best not whinge about it.