Hi Helen,
I only was in Russia for a little than a month. But, I more than sincerely realize, and know first hand about how people in Russia feel about communism, especially the old people. We still have relatives in Russia. So, I'm not just talking out to let off steam, nor anger, etc.
Most think I don't understand, nor can I effectively differentiate before the revolution, during, after, and after the fall of communism. I know and understand. But thank you for your taking time to make the points you have. Many whom post here have never lived under communism, never even travelled to a communist country, or never met a communist. lol. Many post because they think it to be romantic, or want others to respond to them, and their posts, or for whatever reason they have invested in being heard...
I know nothing to date is 'black or white', in Russia today. They have many, many problems, and by their own statements on government, much has to be changed, and rectified to date. Yes, it's going to be a long process to pull a real working political system together that is free of murder, betrayal, corruption.
I pray for Russia's deliverance each and every day.
Still, I believe it has to come with exactly the closure if you will, with Commrade Lenin's burial. This is a deep and old wound, that caused one of the greatest of fears in the eastern block countries, as well in the whole of Russia. A lot was promised, but millions upon millions were killed, just to prop up a political system, that in the end has died. The old must give way to the young, so that they can build on a lasting system, that will encourage freedom, and insure all that free nations live in and under.
What is outrageous, was that the Communist when they took control, gave not thought to the elderly, the disenfranchised, the disabled, the little children. They slaughtered, disabled, took control, robbed many countries of their everyday freedoms.
Now the elderly are afraid of losing communism? How short their memory is. As the old addage states, 'what goes around, come around'. They unfortunately thought they would never have to account, nor have to deal with their past. Unfortunately, the time has come indeed for all of Russia to respond in a way that will close off once and for all the old communist ways. Each life has to stand for justice, and effectively put into place a lasting quality government. It's time for Russia to do so.
Now it's truely time for conscience to kick in to make sure the Russian people have it right this time around, to making sure everyone has a real say in government, for a free government. With Lenin's burial, should come the undertaking of real repairations, and asking of real forgiveness of the communist crimes. Only then will Russia break free.
Example that may help in moving on: in the United States, companies are realizing they can no longer undertake to pay the full coverage of health accords, etc. They have stated employees, and unions must start paying themselves, into the health system. No more free rides. This is hitting people who are close to retirement, if not already retired. People are starting to panick, and wondering where their next sou will come from, as many companies are folding. This is no news here or abroad, for it is affecting everyone. What do we do, how do we pay, where will we live, do we pay for food or medicine? Do we eat food, or food we give our pets.
This is almost the same of what is happening in a sense to those in Russia. Sacrifices are asked for, sacrifices are made, so that the company, will survive. This is not happening just in one company, but across the United States. I understand it from an economic sense, though I know it affects many in the old billfold. Times change, people change, needs change. It's part of everyday living. You change with the world, the world does not change for you alone. But together as a free peoples, we can and must make real changes that neither endanger, kill, or sabatoge freedoms, or human kind.
But, we are not talking now about economics, nor jobs, etc. We are addressing how to best close off a past with a more than notorious leader, who had little care about anything, save his own ego, etc. What really gets me is that we are still supposed to pay homage to a despot, when not even a third of the bodies, and names of his victims will never be known, or found?
I think the whole question has been to bury or keep Lenin waxed. How closure is accomplished is very important.
I don't think any big or small pomp and cermony is needed. That already was done, when lenin died, and it's time to move on, and put that energy to creating a lasting leadership that has full confidence of a free Russia.
Thank you again for being so kind as to find time to respond to my post. I wish you well.
Tatiana
