Quote Originally Posted by Hanna View Post
But, on the other hand: I met lots of Russians in the 1990s, when I happened to be in Israel for a while - they had a totally unrealistic view of the USA and seemed to expect that once they made it there, everything would be fabulous in their lives. Me and some friends tried to warn them, because we thought they'd be better taken care of in Israel. However language problems etc prevented any deep conversation. Even though they officially left the USSR to go to Israel, they were convinced that the USA was much better and were trying to get there...
When I was living in the USSR in 1991, right during its collapse, Russians were enamored with America. They thought it was some kind of great utopia and they had nothing but resentment and bitterness about their own nation's failings. I tried to tell them that America is not really paradise, but no one would listen to me. I can't count the number of times when people would find out I was from the US and their response would be "У вас нет проблем!"

They had a completely unrealistic view of the US, based on all the propaganda we sent out and since at that time Russia's economy was so bad, I guess the US did look pretty attractive. But in the 1980's, the US was already on course for its ultimate demise. Reagan was deregulating the banks, capitalism was allowed to run amok, religious fanaticism was on the upswing with people like Pat Robertson creating religious "universities" to train "future leaders" of America. They were sowing the seeds and now we are reaping a bitter harvest. Unregulated, Wall Street has gambled with our country's economy and rather than being punished, it was bailed out by our failing middle class. The average CEO makes more than 400 times what his employees do, and contrary to conservative economic theories, that profit is not being used to create jobs and it is not going back into the economy. It's being hoarded in overseas banks so that not even taxes can be collected on it. Those religious universities churned out flocks of graduates who have become our politicians, our media representatives, our corporate executives, our military leaders and so on and they are doing everything in their power to turn our country into a theocracy. Some of them even want to help bring about "Armageddon."

I once believed in the American dream, that anyone could become wealthy or famous if they just worked hard enough. But these days it simply isn't true, and frankly I doubt it ever really was true. I worked hard my whole life and never became rich, though I did know what it was like to be famous, at least on a small scale when I worked in TV. Fame is not all it's cracked up to be either. When you are famous, you never know who your real friends are and who just wants to take advantage of you. People are jealous and hurtful and you soon discover that it's a very lonely way to live.

To me it seems that Russia was dangerously enamored with the US to the point where they copied us, and they did such a good job of copying us that in 20 years they will suffer the same fate as we are if they are not careful.