Tom,

There is no doubt you are very knowledgeable regarding much of political and economic interest. None.

That's why Publius and I kinda hammered you on the difference between a political and economic system. While it's true a communist or socialist economic system is more likely to occur where there is a centralized political power, they are not the same. You are knowledgeable enough that you could understand it.

It would probably surprise a lot of Americans, but the USSR had a constitution with civil rights much like the US. The average schmuck like you or me had rights, duties, and privileges. And they meant something.

Where people got into trouble was when they got involved in the political arena. Then the political leadership confused itself with the country itself and regarded any dissention as a threat to "national security".

Very much like Vice President Cheney accusing questioners of not being patriotic. Same, identical attitude. And just as scary for some of us coming from him as from any other political leader.

And would have been scary coming from Clinton, or Lieberman, or any Democrat.

And that's why some of us are concerned about ol' Jose. Don't give a rip about the guy. He was up to no good, and I'm glad he's not running around. How does an aging gangbanger fly around the world and come back with $10,000 in his pocket. Unless he's dealing drugs. This guy doesn't seem smart enough to be a drug dealer or courier. And, he was bringing that much cash into the country. How gded dumb can he be?

And, we need to keep what makes us great, not descend to a level we criticize in others. They call it "national security", too.

Arf