I know people were not just allowed to go to university. A friend of mine crossed into West Germany in 1989. He wouldn't have been allowed to study in East Germ

I know people were not just allowed to go to university. A friend of mine crossed into West Germany in 1989. He wouldn't have been allowed to study in East Germany. He then studied Mathematics in West Germany. A friend from Poland told me how everything had seemed hopeless and she had no real perspective for her future life, until "the miracle happened" (her words) and borders and restrictions were lifted. I think the friends you have may have been from very privileged circles in those countries, if their memories are so positive. Childcare, I also mentioned the background: women were supposed to contribute their share of work for the common good. Meanwhile they had to give their kids to the childcare to start with their early indoctrination. Health Care: sure, it is a good idea. But I don't think the people who were sent to Siberia or the coal mines received good health care. So at the end of the day, it wasn't really free for everybody, just for the people who sucked up to the system. Which is also a price. I think it may be you who is the ideologue here.