Ten Things that you can do in Russia but Can t do so in the United States.

vannrox | 4-27-02 | VANNROX

[vannrox]

Ten Things that you can do in Russia

but Can’t do so in the United States

Own an Automatic Rifle without a Permit.

Smoke in any Restaurant you visit.

Drive without a seatbelt.

Buy chemicals for your chemistry set.

Put up a “Girly Picture” on your Wall at work.

Drink a beer at your desk at work on Friday.

Buy Codeine-Enhanced Aspirin over the counter.

Pay only 15% in total taxes instead of 60%.

Smoke a fine cigar at a work meeting (Ash trays in all the rooms).

Be a Male Chauvinist.

[vannrox]

I just want to make a point.

[AK2KX]

You can probably cash a $3000 travelers check without having it reported to the government.

[Recovering_Democrat]

good points, but this is still the country of choice for me.

[johniegrad]

This needs to be posted in the next "Need Freeper Advice on Where to Move" thread!!

[BlessedBeGod]

Barbarians! LOL!

[Dane]

This needs to be posted in the next "Need Freeper Advice on Where to Move" thread!!

How come things like not only learning a new language but a whole new alphabet, having electric blackouts, and the phone never working are never mentioned on threads like these.

[Brett66]

11. Calculate your taxes without having an advanced math degree because of the flat tax.

[AK2KX]

Yep, I work in a casino, and we have a new position just filled for a "Title 31 specialist". Not knowing what that was, I looked it up. It's the enhanced version of the currency transaction reporting requirements that used to stipulate reporting cash transactions over $10,000.

Now, the trigger point is $3000, and you just don't give a name and SS# anymore. Your address, DOB, race, eye and hair color, height, weight, build, etc. etc. are listed on a form, which is presumably given to the IRS/DEA/FBI/INS, et al.

[Gumption]

And they can legally own and set-off fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July ... Maryland sux.

[Dave S]

You can probably cash a $3000 travelers check without having it reported to the government.

Yeah but you cant take more than $500 out of the country, even if you are going to be away for two weeks.

[SamAdams76]

I already do some of those things here in America. Am I in trouble?

[vannrox]

America: A 21st-Century Soviet Union?

[ao98]

12. Buy a ticket to fly to the International Space Station. (If you have 20 million dollars)

[Centurion2000]

Bump

[AK2KX]

I already do some of those things here in America. Am I in trouble?

Your confession has been duly noted, Comrade. Now please turn off your computer and wait for the knock on the door.

[MarineDad]

Could this possibly mean that they sent all their pin-headed control weenies over here, and that they're finally rid of them? If so, how do we go about sending them packing yet again?

[Jim Robinson]

"How come things like not only learning a new language but a whole new alphabet, having electric blackouts, and the phone never working are never mentioned on threads like these."

We have all of this and much more in California (the Land of Fruits and Nuts).

[Tribune7]

bump

[dheretic]

The more I've been thinking about economics, the more I've come to the conclusion that the final system of economics will be a hybrid of capitalism and socialism. Yes, I used the dirty word socialism. Here's where I see history going, contrary to the Marxist view of economic progression:

1. Commons collapse from abuse (fallout of primitive communism)
2. Primitive capitalism takes over
3. Primitive socialism comes into existance with the first nation states
4. Bourgeouise rebels and lays the foundation of proto-Advanced Capitalism
5. Advanced Socialism overtakes proto-Advanced Capitalism
6. First manufactured goods replication processes operational; Advanced socialism collapses along with the majority of all social institutions.
7. Radical advanced capitalism siezes absolute control over every social institution. Product replication now is a mature process, no need for corporations or labor unions; both cease to exist and all means of production except for product replication are torn down as they are now superfelous.
8. Society is now restructuring itself based on liberal anarchistic concepts because there are no "economics" anymore; Capitalism and socialism merge by bringing peacefully together the ideas of "from each according to his ability to each according to his needs" and inalienable property rights. No economic regulation is necessary anymore as scarcity of almost all goods is no longer a factor in production. At this stage only those that need to work to fullfill personal vision need work. Everyone's needs can be met by product replication.
9. The state is reduced to only military, police and courts. Every other function can be accomplished through non-statist means because product replication combined with advanced robotics eliminates the purpose of all social welfare spending, infrastructure maintainence, etc that the government does beyond the aforementioned basic functions.
10. Final stage: all public education is abolished because those with teaching skills can be fully supported at no cost to the public by product replication of commodity goods.

Admittedly it's an incomplete counter to Marx's class theory-based historic determinism, but it is a start.

[vannrox]

14. You can renounce your citizenship and move out of the Country without being a fugitive.

[Dane]

We have all of this and much more in California (the Land of Fruits and Nuts).

LOL!, and for a long time.

Seriously though every time I see these threads(i.e life is much better in some other country), I just think it is helpful to point out the downsides.

Try pulling up to a Siberian 7-11, filling your tank, and getting an espresso. Ain't gonna happen just yet, although it looks like they(the Russians) may be on their way.

[vannrox]

14. You can renounce your citizenship and move out of the Country without being a fugitive.

[Temple Owl]

I don't smoke, don't use codiene-enhance aspirin or put up girly pictures.I prefer driving with a seatbelt, because it makes sense. I'm a capitalist who owns my business and who can drink beer, whiskey or anything else any time I want to. My wife decided a long time ago that it was against the law for me to be a male chauvinist anyway I think male chauvinists are @ssholes. What I'm saying is that the United States of America may not be perfect but it's way ahead of who ever is in second place.

[Semper911]

And they can legally own and set-off fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July ...

Take a long hard look at that sentence and see if you notice anything wrong with it.

(Hint: "They" are Russians.)

[RCW2001]

Opps...lol!!!

[Temple Owl]

One more thing! I agree we are overtaxed and that we should simplify out tax system.

[Ole Okie]

How come things like not only learning a new language but a whole new alphabet, having electric blackouts, and the phone never working are never mentioned on threads like these.

Don't know how it is now but in the 70's, the most critical thing for a lot of Americans visiting the USSR was finding a roll of toilet paper.

Or even a corncob.

[niki]

When your dog rolls over and hits you in the eye with his paw, thus creating an eye infection, the doctors in Russian won't have turn you and your dog into the government.

Report to the government for an 'animal related injury'.

[marktwain]

I've been thinking along those lines myself. I expect a lot of turmoil and confusion as this happens, though. Lots of people with plenty of assests still made war. If all are rich, some will still want to order others about... and then there are personal sevices...

I do hope that the transitions will be relatively peaceful, but I doubt it.

[vannrox]

Incidently, I love the USA. I served my time and I pay more than my fair share of taxes. I am a good guy and try to obey the law and play by the rules.


My point is that there are now so many rules that some (maybe many) freedoms can be found elsewhere. They no longer reside in the USA.


I live in Massachusetts. The so called Birthplace of Liberty. But I am unable to own a M90. But I could if I lived in Russia. I was called into the HR department in January 2001 because I had a "National Enquirer" day by day Calendar on my desk. It apparently offended one of my co-workers.


Liberty MEANS Freedom. Freedom is important to the well being of human nature. I think that James Madison cared more for my well being than any of the Kennedys. He was willing to work and fight and defend peoples freedoms, liberties ... their dreams and their desires.

[concerned about politics]

We were once that free before the Clinton regime.
How I yearn for the good old days. That's when America was great. Now it's totally warped.

[Plummz]

Most important - by a ticket to outer space.

[Husker24]

Who could possibly keep track of all that information comeing from every corner of the United States every day. Imagine how often a $3000+ trasaction is completed in the U.S every day.

[Cultural Jihad]

So that's why all those Russians are lining up to emigrate to the United States.

[Gumption]

Lol! What??? Russians aren't allowed to celebrate the 4th of July?

Let me put it this way ... Russian citizens are allowed to set-off fireworks and firecrackers, the citizens of my state are not allowed to do that.

How's that?

[x]

Interesting argument, but keep the "tipping points" in mind.

One day, a majority finds that freedom from smoke is more important than freedom to smoke, and that becomes the relevant freedom, both as regards pollution and cigarettes on the job or in restaurants. Of course, in practical political terms it's the liberals who make that decision, but I don't think one can argue that the question involves a conflict between liberal and conservative ideas of freedom. It's similar with other things that may have harmful effects on unwilling third parties.

Another tipping point is with cars. Once the earliest restrictions deriving from the horse-drawn era were removed, motorists had lousy roads but great freedom. When cars were more numerous and faster, all the restrictions were imposed: safety belts, no drinking or open containers, fuel taxes, compulsory insurance, etc. A country with few cars can avoid these things. One with many cars feels the pressure for greater safety and convenience.

In both of these cases the legal system and minimizing liability appear to play a role in decreasing freedom. When faced with massive potential legal damage payouts or cripplingly high insurance premiums, there is a tendency to limit freedom.

[Senator Pardek]

Give the U.S. a break - it took us 226 years to get to this point. Wanna bet you won't be able to do those very things in Russia in 26 years?

[budwiesest]

Sputnik II

However, we'll respond as never before by repealling all gun laws, creating a 10% tax rate, ending the War on Some drugs, dumping the Dept. of Education, and rescinding all lawsuits against Tobacco, Inc.
Free prescription medications? Don't make me laugh.

< /turbo baloney blaster>

[Naked Lunch]

fireworks pfffpt. try starting a leaf fire in your back yard. cant be done.

[Mudcat]

Everything not mandatory is forbidden

Everything not forbidden is mandatory

Government is like fleas on a dog In a perfect world, no dog has fleas; unfortunately, we do not live in such a world. In a true democracy, dogs get together once in awhile to take a vote - usually, they single out one or two of the pack, & blame those unlucky mutts for ALL of the fleas in the world. In a representational democracy such as in the US, dogs elect a few fleas as leaders of all the other fleas, then they let those select fleas think that their in charge; meanwhile, with the fleas' attention thus occupied, the dogs get along with the business of being dogs. When the elected fleas get too uppity, say, for instance, by thinking that they really are in charge of the dogs, the dogs usually respond by electing a new bunch of fleas as the flea leaders. Once in awhile, though, there's a good scratchin' behind the ears instead - the fleas call this a "revolt" or "revolution" & it's one of the primary reasons that fleas, even in a representative democracy, dispise dogs having "weapons" like sharp teeth & claws. The logic is, if the dog can scratch out even one flea, then no flea can be safe from dogs. The few fleas who do support dogs have teeth & claws, usually assign such support to concern that the dog can continue to be healthy enough to provide a home for more fleas, and not out of any direct concern for the dog's own well-being in its own right, but I digress...

Socialism is where the fleas really do try to boss the dogs around; however, it is an unhealthy dog indeed who will actually listen to his fleas for direction in life. Most healthy dogs, when seriously threatened by fleas in this way, sit down for a good scratchin'... for those few healthy dogs who don't display such common sense, skip down to "theocracy."

Now, in theory, socialism is supposed to "evolve" into pure communism; however, this phenomena has never been seen in the real world - pure communism means there are no dogs at all, it's all fleas, & all fleas are equal.

In monarchies & dictatorships, the biggest fattest flea sits atop the dog's head, usually with the members of his or her immediate family nearby, and bosses not only the dog, but also commands all other fleas. Sometimes, the monarch/dictator will actually command the dog to scratch some fellow fleas! This is known as Stalinism, after a particularly paranoid flea in the 1950's.

Finally, there is theocracy. Forms of this government can include convincing the dog to worship fleas, telling the dog that it too is a flea, that the fleas are dogs and vice versa, promising the dog that it will become a flea when it dies if it behaves like a flea in this life, and various other chicanery. A common thread to this form of government is an elite inner circle of fleas who jealously guard access to the dog's ears, and thereby convince the dog that their little flea voices are coming from "heaven" "paradise" "nirvana" or some such nonsense. Sometimes, a dog infected with this kind of fleas goes "rogue" and starts attacking other dogs, barking and yelping that it is actually trying to free the victim dogs of their own "evil" fleas.

[vannrox]

MORE:
Using my Country and My State Massachusetts as an example...


You can burn leaves in Russia.
You can own a well and not hook up to municipal water in Russia
You can home school your kids without asking permission.
Your wife can wear fur without guilt.
Religion is not considered to be a cult.

[MissAmericanPie]

Egad it feels real strange thinking of Russia, of all places, as the last bastion of freedom.

[Hildy]

Drink a gallon of Vodka, pass out in the street in a puddle of your own vomit, and not have any government agency take you away and clean you up.

[11B3]

15. Live in a country where the federal government is a Constitutional Republic in both form and function - and is not trying to become like the Soviet Union.
16. In Russia, they kicked all of the Communist Party members out of their Congress - while here in the US, we have 59 card carrying members of the Democratic Socialists of America - the American branch of the International Communist Party.
17. In Russia, the government has just returned nearly ALL of the land to the ownership of the people. In America, a$$holes like Clinton have managed to grab nearly all of the western US from the people in order to protect frogs, fish, and insects. Humans are not allowed.
18. Russia is 10 time zones wide from east to west. The population is getting down to the 150 million mark. Theirs is the only nation on earth that is fully self-sufficient for raw materials and minerals. Essentially, it is a frontier full of opportunity much like America was in the early 1900s - although in the outer regions life is also very much like America in the early 1900s. Moscow has the highest standard of living in Russia, but it is still below what we are used to.
20. The average life expectancy of Russian males is 58 years. The average life expectancy of Russian females is 73 years. This creates the largest gender gap of any nation on earth. Just check out any of the foreign dating services and see how many Russian women are there - and then add to this the fact that Russian men treat their women like hell - and as an American male you are in great demand in Russia. That is even better than the pin up girls - they're real.

Don't get me wrong - there's a lot that needs fixing in Russia. It will take a long time to change the attitudes of the Soviet era people (actually, they will probably die first due to alcoholism, etc.), and it will also take many hard working and skilled people. That's the other area where Americans have some skills that are in demand there - especially high tech stuff. Their education system kicks ours to death at the collegiate level - their students actually learn things that apply to life. The bottom line is simple: If things here in the US continue to slide into the leftists neofacist hell that Dasshole and The Ankle have in mind, Russia isn't a bad choice at all for a new home. They need patriots - the American kind - because they just went through the equivalent of our Revolutionary War and are rebuilding after the implementation of their Constitution. Think about that.

[Lazamataz]

For the longest time, I have asserted that as Russia becomes more free and America becomes less so, that somewhere we will meet in the middle, wave at one another, and we will become as the CCCP and they will become as the USA.

And, with such a resource-rich nation as theirs, and with their highly-educated populace, Russia will become the land of opportunity, with Americans emigrating to this newfound Land of Freedom.

My wife-to-be and I have a leg up: We speak passable Russian. :o)

[JPJones]

I live in Massachusetts.

This explains alot, I moved from that horrible place 3 years ago. There are most definitly greener pastures...not so sure about russia, but point well taken.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to emigrate from that State.

[germanicus]

Next thing you know, everyone will want to emmigrate to Russia. Leave this country for the Mexicans and Muslims and let them hash it out. The rest of us can go to Russia and become squatters. Then in 100 years or so, we can demand reparations for being forced from our homeland! Man, I got it all figured out!! Time for bed.