The end of a totalitarianism...
Southern Industrial
22-07-2004, 04:57
You have been living in a soviet-style communism for 15 years. A few months ago, new leadership rose to power in the communist party. Just receantly it was announced that the borders will be opened for the first time in more than a decade. Real elections will be held, with a real opposition party. Both canadates promise an American-style democracy with a return to freedom and prosperity. Remember, these are just promises, and they might be populist shams. Do you vote in this election, or do you use it as a chance to flee? Do you vote for the incumbants or the opposition?
PS, This poll is biased towards moderate, pro-democracy Americans. If you do not fall into that catagory, don't say "oh your poll is sooo biased!" I know that.
Even though i'm a communist (though not Stalinist) myself I would have voted out the old leadership, I don't think I would have trusted them...then regretted it the next year when 20% of the population is jobless and without any form of healthcare.
Under socialism, the goods stores were empty, but there were no employment queues, under capitalism, the employment queues go for blocks and the goods stores are full.
At least, that's what I can say about Lithuania, where my grandad comes from. (He visited in 1990 and 1995, so he saw both worlds)
Southern Industrial
22-07-2004, 05:14
Even though i'm a communist (though not Stalinist) myself I would have voted out the old leadership, I don't think I would have trusted them...then regretted it the next year when 20% of the population is jobless and without any form of healthcare.
Under socialism, the goods stores were empty, but there were no employment queues, under capitalism, the employment queues go for blocks and the goods stores are full.
At least, that's what I can say about Lithuania, where my grandad comes from. (He visited in 1990 and 1995, so he saw both worlds)
Here's the thing, though; If incumbants were untrustworthy, wouldn't the vote just be a populist sham? I'm more afraid of the opponents; The old guys have already indicated they are demogauges by demolishing the communist system.