Posted on 02/09/2017 9:51:43 AM PST by MichCapCon
One of the most surprising developments from last year’s presidential campaign was the reach enjoyed by Bernie Sanders, a candidate who unabashedly championed socialism as a solution to the country’s economic ills. In the Michigan Democratic primary, Sanders took first place with 598,943 votes to Hillary Clinton's 581,775 votes, winning 87 percent of Democratic voters between the ages of 18-24.
No one seemed more amazed by this than Konstantin Zhukov, a Russian immigrant who was studying at Northwood University during last year’s election season.
“When I heard Bernie Sanders’ ideas, I was surprised to hear them, but at the same time I understood why they would have an appeal, especially among teenagers,” said Zhukov.
“I could understand from studying 2008, the anti-market sentiment was increasing because many people suffered and they were starting to blame it on capitalism and they thought they should blame capitalism,” he added.
“There is a perception that socialism is fair. It is not fair,” said Zhukov.
He says from his perspective, socialism is not the answer. A command-and-control economy has, over the decades, left deep scars on Russia, he says. The damage is so deep, he says, that young people have little hope of succeeding on their own merits, even as the country tries to adopt a capitalistic economy.
“In Russia today, it's all about connections really. Here in the U.S., from what I see, young people have higher hopes and they are mostly in control of their destiny,” said Zhukov.
When he arrived in the U.S., he noticed immediately the differences between the two economic systems. He was surprised by the number of brands he saw on his first trip to Wal-Mart.
“We don’t even have Dr Pepper in Russia,” he said.
He said there is a big difference between poverty in each country.
“Here, under poor living standards, people can afford clothing, travel, things like that, where in Russia, you can't do anything. Sometimes people grow their own food to sustain their lives,” he said.
He noticed also differences with the middle class. He said he could earn more money working part-time at the campus security gate than his mother could as an attorney in a Moscow suburb, even with 20 years of experience.
Unlike older Americans, millennials were born when the Cold War was ending. Much of their knowledge of socialism and communism comes from school or other second-hand sources. And now a survey, conducted by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, shows cause for concern.
Of young people polled, more than one-third were unfamiliar with Mao Zedong, Che Guevara, Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx. Of those who recognized the names, 25 percent said they had a favorable opinion of such figures. The only exception was Mao.
Only 55 percent of millennials say communism was and is still a problem compared to 80 percent of baby boomers. The poll also found that two-thirds of millennials agreed with Marxist viewpoints. When presented with a series of statements, the ones millennials agreed with the least came from the Bible: “If any would not work, neither should he eat.”
The Foundation provides a curriculum and training for teachers on the development of communism in the modern world.
As for Zhukov, he said seeing the differences between here and Russia has inspired him to attend graduate school for an advanced degree in economics, which he began this month.
Really...any college kid who gets hyped up on socialism...ought to be sent for a week in Havana, a week in Moscow, and a week to live with welfare class of Germany. After that...they might shut up.
“Communism was something so hideous that you had to be an exceptional conformist or a fool not to see the evil around you.” Donald Tusk
Then there is the graduate course in China with post graduate work in North Korea ... after the last they will be shut up.
I think we Boomers may be the last generation to at least somewhat get it. I remember the Iron Curtain and radio free Europe.
Our parents’/grandparents’ generation lived through the Depression and WWII. They understood what America was about. I can’t imagine millennials storming the beaches of Normandy.
Every time I talk to someone from an Eastern bloc country who escaped communism he or she says exactly the same things. Once they’re in the US, they become great patriots.
Although a fiscal conservative, I nevertheless would approve of the expenditure of public funds to transport socialist millennials to the socialist country of their choice. I hear Venezuela is nice.
““We don’t even have Dr Pepper in Russia,” he said. “............Those poor, poor people................
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Living a week would not be long enough they need to live there at least a year Venezuela would be another great choice to send them to!!!
I agree with you, but Venezuela is conspicuously absent from your statement.
Author Robert Ringer wrote; " 'liberals' are closet socialists, and socialists are closet communists."
I was born in 1970, so I’m “Generation X”.
I get it. Most of my fellows Gen X’ers get it.
Of course, I’ve got some who love the whole Che, anti-capitalism BS.
I served my country in the Navy, and then served my community as a volunteer firefighter for about 5 years.
Had to quit both due to lung problems that have me a disabled veteran, service connected. Honestly, surprised I lasted as long as I did as a firefighter.
Either way, I get it. I’ve seen enough, and done enough to know that I don’t know enough. I also can imagine quite a bit of the rest of it.
I’m just glad that the hippies of the 60’s created the youth of the 70’s/80’s, who rebelled against the drug culture of the 60’s folks. It’s cyclical, with each generation rebelling against their parents. That’s what Gen Y/millennials really are, rebelling against the beliefs of their parents (Gen X).
“We don’t even have Dr Pepper in Russia,”
Altho our kids and grandkids are solid conservatives so far, I’m going to remember that line should I ever need to correct their thinking on socializm.
A Bernie Sanders can’t follow through with his simplistic demands for the economy. Any idiot can see that it didn’t work anywhere it was forcibly tried, and it can’t work UNLESS IT IS FORCIBLY TRIED. So young people without knowledge of socialism history can be fooled.
And libs, who don’t have any common sense.
It takes a guy who grew up in socialism to get it, like this Russian student. Which is why I voted for Ahnold. He talked the talk. I forgot that steroids destroyed his b*lls.
Do you think that serving in the military shaped your attitudes about your patriotism or did your patriotism lead you to military service?
And thank you for that service.
My thankfulness for the opportunities in this country led me to military service. My uncles and grandfather were military, my biological dad was military. So, I went military. I didn’t do it, or mention it for thanks, but you’re welcome FRiend.
And my service for a few months under Pres. Reagan and then under Pres. GHW Bush reenforced my attitudes about this country.
Completely understandable. Your service is greatly appreciated as is your sacrifice.
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