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While all you are saying is true, I also think the very same kind of propaganda, but actually much more efficient, is happening in Europe and the US. People go
by snitko 11y ago
While all you are saying is true, I also think the very same kind of propaganda, but actually much more efficient, is happening in Europe and the US. People go absolutely insane if you start questioning democracy, social programs or anything that a state does.
When you point out to them how internet or cellphone networks or taxis or a number of other things is actually cheaper in Russia (or in eastern Europe in general) because of the lack of regulations or government interference, they go in denial. People in Europe and even in the US are so much more brainwashed into believing they need a state that it's painful to even start conversations with them. The most notable case just happened in Finland, where reportedly the police asked citizens to rat on pizza places who sell pizza for less than 6.5 EUR because the government believes a place selling pizzas for less cannot be profitable. In my book, that's almost what a communist state with price controls looks like.
I'd like my kids to grow up in Russia. I like it that, at least when it comes to personal income, the tax rate is 13% (although fundamentally, I believe there should be no taxation). I like it that I have more freedom here than in Europe or the US. The only thing I don't like is the government of any kind telling me or my family what products or services I can use and for how much. Unfortunately that happens in many other countries too and especially so in Europe or the US.
- AlexandrB 11y agoYou have no idea what you're talking about. Corruption at all levels of government is rampant in Russia. It's the norm to have to pay off multiple officials when trying to get something built/renovated. Russia doesn't give a fuck about its own people, to the Russian government lives are expendable if needed [1]. The alcoholism and suicide rate in Russia is monstrous [2], and is probably caused by the lack of opportunity. > In my book, that's almost what a communist state with price controls looks like. No. A communist state looks like the murder of millions for the sake of "security"[3]. > I'd like my kids to grow up in Russia. I like it that, at least when it comes to personal income, the tax rate is 13%... Actually it's even better than you think. 13% of $0 is still $0. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_in_Russia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_in_Russia [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Book_of_Communism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Book_of_Communism
- snitko 11y ago> Corruption at all levels of government is rampant in Russia I'm not concerned with corruption. It's a different side of coin. What happens in the US or in Europe is that if you need stuff done or if you need to win in court, you hire expensive lobbyists or lawyers. Either way, you spend money. It is practically the same, but legalized, so that you can say "oh, but this is civil". No it's not. It's still a government monopoly on doing stuff. Government should have no business telling people how to run a business or live their lives.
- AlexandrB 11y ago> What happens in the US or in Europe is that if you need stuff done or if you need to win in court, you hire expensive lobbyists or lawyers. Lobbyists and Lawyers are private individuals, corrupt officials are government agents. I thought you were against "big government"?
- snitko 11y agoI am. Lobbyists and lawyers only exist because there is a government monopoly on law.
- cema 11y agoLobbyists yes, but not lawyers.
- snitko 11y agoLawyers in their current incarnation wouldn't exists and wouldn't be able to charge those high prices unless they weren't state licenced (you can't be a lawyer without state permission, basically) and unless they had to deal with monopoly on law, which is government.
- johnnydoebk 11y ago>> When you point out to them how internet or cellphone networks or taxis or a number of other things is actually cheaper in Russia (or in eastern Europe in general) because of the lack of regulations or government interference, they go in denial. Cool. I'm from a small 3rd world country. Just as in Russia the police officers sometimes rape detainees with bottles of champagne, there is literally no justice, but lots other funny things. But our prices are lower than those in Russia. And it's OK if you are not paying taxes here. So what? Does it mean the rest of the world must be envy?
- snitko 11y agoI think countries have problems because of governments, not because their governments aren't strong enough. Paying more to police officers doesn't make them behave any more civil. An example of that is the US where police abuse is widespread and incarceration rate is highest in the world. Statistically, in terms of police interaction, I'd be much safer in your country than in the US. The real problem is absence of the market mechanism in law enforcement. A police officer, even though I basically am paying his salary, isn't working for me. He's working for the state. I can't hire another protection service and stop paying to the police. I can't complain. Hell, I can't even change laws that I don't like (except through a very long political process which is unlikely to give me any results in any meaningful timeframe). What you should be thinking is, not how to make a government better, but how to make it less dangerous and influential.
- temo4ka 11y agoI agree with you on this one, but I have hard time believing that between U.S. and Russian governments the former is more dangerous to its citizens than the latter.
- snitko 11y agoWell, think twice. Just by incarceration rate alone you can tell that the US govt is more dangerous to its own citizens. I'm also much more likely to be shot by a cop in the US than in Russia. Russia also doesn't execute people (there's a moratorium on capital punishment). What else do you need to know?