I just don't think there is an example that can be compared to a country such as the old USSR that had vast natural wealth and millions of slave laborers to use up in the gulags of Siberia.

The USSR did accomplish a lot. But I do think it could have accomplished much more had freedom and a good profit motive been a driving force instead of some sort of forced nationalism.

Nationalism is great, but it only goes so far. And eventually it completely wears out when you see so many in the government talking the nationalist talk while they enrich themselves and undermine the system through the grossest forms of corruption.

Scott

P.S. I am perfectly willing to admit that Capitalism has its share of corruption as well. I just think human nature is more suited to Capitalism and Democracy (Even in the Republican form) than Communism and Marxism. The latter theories seem to be based on the assumption that human nature is based in evil and needs to be subdued by the State. Ironic, for theories that also seem to claim to be godless: After all, if there is no God, is there evil or is there only survival?

It is an interesting mental exercise to work through...Maybe someday when I have earned enough capital to sustain me through my retirement years, I will return to college and study political science, Philosophy and economics...But that will be after I've tackled astronomy and physics...