Posted on 11/09/2009 11:34:58 AM PST by honestabe010
We are approaching the 20th anniversary of the fall of Communism. This comprehensively refuted the Communist claim to represent the people. Yet, the claim continues, sometimes dazzling a new generation of youngsters with no inkling of why the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989.
In democratic Capitalism, said Karl Marx, the rich became richer and the poor poorer. Marxism inspired young idealists for over a century. Lenin's revolution in Russia in 1917 was hailed as a new dawn. Stalin's invasions brought Communism to Eastern Europe. Communist governments there pledged to create a paradise for workers, who would be freed from exploitative Capitalists and instead work for the state, which would give them full employment and welfare.
Czech author Milan Kundera says of the Communists, "They had a grandiose plan, a plan for a brand new world in which everyone would find his place: the creation of an idyll of justice for all. People have always aspired to an idyll, a garden where nightingales sing, a realm of harmony where the world does not rise up as a stranger against man, nor man against other men."
Problem: this supposed paradise was imposed at gun-point. Nevertheless leftists cheered, dismissing objectors as Capitalist elitists. These elitists would deservedly be decimated, but the masses would get equality and fabulous benefits in paradise.
Alas, this equality was a sham: equality is not possible between those imposing the rules and those imposed upon. Eastern Europeans found that the supposed paradise was actually a cage in which they were fed and watered, but denied basic freedoms to speak, act or move. Masses of youngsters began emigrating from the Communist paradises to the supposed hell-holes of the West...
(Excerpt) Read more at thewoodwardreport.com ...
Dark day for the Democrats.
Rush just played Ronaldus Magnus saying “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”.
After 20 years I still get chills.
Reagan demonstrated that the best way to defeat an idea is with a better idea.
“Great article!” bump.
Post YOUR version of the 1989 Berlin Speech, if Barry O'bama had been President then.
Mr. Gorbachev, rebuild this wall several hundred miles to the west.
bttt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.