Islamic States of America v Union of the Socialist States of America

[opebo]

Men actually have a deal in the Islamic state, if you know how to grease the system (ahem, Rafsanjani).

Communism, OTOH, is unmitigated, purified EVIL. Communism obliterates entire cultures, only to replace them with a prefabricated red-and-grey cinder block prison. It's like they've declared war on humanity itself.

Um.. what the hell do you think American Capitalism does?  Have you looked at a Walmart, a fast food franchise, or a strip mall lately?  They're utterly homogenous prisons, just as much as the soviets apartment blocks were, and they're far more effective at wiping out good food, decent lifestyles, etc. 

[opebo]

Men actually have a deal in the Islamic state, if you know how to grease the system (ahem, Rafsanjani).

Communism, OTOH, is unmitigated, purified EVIL. Communism obliterates entire cultures, only to replace them with a prefabricated red-and-grey cinder block prison. It's like they've declared war on humanity itself.

Um.. what the hell do you think American Capitalism does?  Have you looked at a Walmart, a fast food franchise, or a strip mall lately?  They're utterly homogenous prisons, just as much as the soviets apartment blocks were, and they're far more effective at wiping out good food, decent lifestyles, etc. 

What do you think Chinese Communism does, then?

The same thing.  My point, everett, was that both Soviet (or Chinese) communism and American capitalism do the same thing in terms of quality of life, architecture, etc.  What's teh difference between an American strip mall and a communist apartment block?  Both are unbelievably hideous and hostile to human enjoyment.

Speaking of this - here in the inner, older suburbs of St. Louis Walmart has finally penetrated, and the two I have recently visited are in strip malls named 'Commons' - the 'Kirkwood Commons' and the 'Maplewood Commons', after the respective municipalities that paid for them with tax rebates.  This seems disturbing doublespeak and a slap in the face to citizens to call a hideous strip mall that exists for solely the owners profits a 'commons'!  Shouldn't a commons be a park, a library, a community center with pool and so forth?  Disgusting.

[opebo]

Men actually have a deal in the Islamic state, if you know how to grease the system (ahem, Rafsanjani).

Communism, OTOH, is unmitigated, purified EVIL. Communism obliterates entire cultures, only to replace them with a prefabricated red-and-grey cinder block prison. It's like they've declared war on humanity itself.

Um.. what the hell do you think American Capitalism does?  Have you looked at a Walmart, a fast food franchise, or a strip mall lately?  They're utterly homogenous prisons, just as much as the soviets apartment blocks were, and they're far more effective at wiping out good food, decent lifestyles, etc. 

What do you think Chinese Communism does, then?

The same thing.  My point, everett, was that both Soviet (or Chinese) communism and American capitalism do the same thing in terms of quality of life, architecture, etc. 

Then complain to the government if it's so 'disgusting'. I'm not the government, don't live there, don't care if you have to suffer, and don't care if you think that you are obviously too good for everything. And besides, if you're that wealthy, then you can simply 'buy' action from your local politicians or move permanently to Thailand, where the quality of life must be a hundredfold better (considering that people actually die from the common cold and lack of water there, your paradise must be quite a haven for maggots and the like). Don't spew meaningless hyperbole in my face when it's completely unrelated to my question.

Your question showed a misunderstanding of my previous post.  My point was precisely that both communism and capitalism lead to hideous physical suroundings.  Why you brought up china I have no idea - obviously it would fit under the communist heading in the past, and the capitalist heading now.  And yes, itis very hideous.

As for my finances, they're not that good.  I can avoid work, but the budget is fairlylimited.  That said, I return to Paradise in less than two months!   And your health information about Thailand sounds very inaccurate - certainly the general level of health there seems similar to that of the non-rich in America, if not better. Certainly less obscenely obese.

[opebo]

What's teh difference between an American strip mall and a communist apartment block?

In the capitalist system you have a choice to go elsewhere if you don't like the store or the products it sells - communism has one set of products, one set of stores, no choice whatsoever.

Um.. where would I go to avoid strip malls in the US?  The place is nothing but a sea of bad architecture and repulsive chains.  But I suppose by leaving the country I'm excersizing choice.  Alas, I fear that the whole world will be Walmartized and Americanized before I die.