The USSR was more involved in conquest and military might than it was in the life or ordinary citizens. They had a saying, “the government pretends to pay us and we pretend to work”. In China, they are really involved in building an infrastructure and bringing its citizens into the 21st century. I know that there is this big thing about China being a repressive society but, from my experience, the Chinese citizens are less afraid of their government and police than any American.
Sure there are politicians and business people that take advantage and cheat the system but the striking thing is that there are real repercussions when they are caught. They shoot CEO’s that cheat the government and customers. People like our leading bankers and Bernie Madoff would be pushing up daisies instead of running continuing to run their companies or appealing sentences.
I think we need capital punishment for big offenders of economic crimes. The Soviet Union had the same problem, The system was totally corrupted and individuals drained the state. Additionally, the state drained any progress people made.
Under Bush we descended into the Soviet model of government, Our military prospered while citizens paid. I hope it is not too late for us. We are heading for a Soviet style break-up. I just hope that my home state of Pennsylvania is able to join the Canadian confederation. That may be the only way we get a fair government in my lifetime.