Comments by "irresistablejewel" (@irresistablejewel) on "Paul Warburg"
channel.
-
3
-
I agree, he's clueless. Russia has around $300 Billion national debt (with a balance of payments surplus); a national health service (NHS) and state-funded education; being a major exporter of energy and grain, it's at least self-sufficient and a monthly travel pass for Moscow (bus and Metro) is around $4.
Compared to America: over $33,000 Billion national debt (plus $1,000 Billion "interest" annually, just to maintain that); high student and credit card debt, no NHS.
It's pretty "rich" some American kid trying to claim others have got it wrong... when it's clear he's never been to USSR, likely not to Russia either (only has empty words)
Back in the early 90's I was working in the casino industry in Moscow (now banned; viewed as immoral) and it was mayhem, as USSR (and Warsaw Pact) ended.
In my view the Supreme Soviet's intention was: to restore the map of Europe to prewar (1938) borders; demolish a wall and demilitarize (effectively ending the "Cold War") then try their hand at right-wing capitalism (their version). The map of Europe today is pretty much identical to that of 1938 (the occupied regions part of Russia).
The influx of private sector corporations and the rise of the oligarchs (who had political and mob connections) didn't help most Russians; a two-tier economy appeared; so Russia eventually ejected: banks; hedge funds and let the oligarchs walk (as long as they stayed out of politics), the one that didn't they jailed for 10 years (out in 9) asset stripped and ejected.
The "theme park" VDNK still remains as a monument to the Soviet utopian vision; probably better to stay at Hotel Cosmos (and pay Russian prices); not the spectacular Hotel Ukraine (now America run; charging Western prices;...used to be HQ of the Ukrainian mob).
Meanwhile here's America and the EU funding a war in Eastern Europe; firing missiles at the nuclear superpower that put the first space station in orbit and pioneered laser-eye surgery... a technologically (not debt) driven country (11 time-zones wide).
That's not to say Russia is perfect; wages are very low; it's -20 in the Winter and they switch the hot water off a month a year (to clean the pipes).
The Western media provide a very distorted portrayal of Russia (and China); while America and NATO seem to depend on war; Russia won't have further NATO/EU expansion.
Shame about Ukraine; but if you let the foreign multinationals in they want ownership (agriculture and a gas pipeline) not much of that left now. They lost.
You might ask yourself, what has Ukraine (or Russia) done for you recently?... before you march off to war. If you can't find Ukraine on the map...you have been diverted.
Hope you have a happy new year... if you're American or British, better batten down the hatches, there may be trouble ahead. Where is all that tax going? Not to us.
2
-
1
-
If Russia had wanted to re-establish USSR they'd have deployed more troops. Russia already restored the map of Europe to prewar borders back in the early 90's; along with adopting capitalism (which didn't really work out) also, by demolishing the Berlin wall and dissolving the Warsaw Pact, effectively ended the "Cold War". Since then both the EU and NATO have expanded a lot; assurances were given to Russia that they would not interfere in Ukraine, but they did anyway.
The corporations that moved into Ukraine to take control of Ukrainian agriculture and a gas pipeline have already lost; it's just the rebuilding contract and those loans, plus interest, left to fight for now; while all these billions from the EU and America sent to one of the most corrupt countries in Eastern Europe were not for reasons of charity (it's graft).
It isn't even about Putin, this is Russia and they are not happy, with the fascist neocons of America; so they are holding position and burning their money (actually it's our money).
Looking at the American version of democracy; their huge national debt; student debt; credit card debt; homelessness; no NHS... it's no wonder they're fighting that off.
What unites: China; Russia; India; Brazil and S. Africa is that the deal in real things; not paper debt; three of them are nuclear superpowers and they don't need American "help".
Russia is a socialist democracy; China is a single-party communist country, while America is run by corporations... so they've been asset stripped to the tune of $36 Trillion.
Send more money... system working?! Shame about Ukraine: but the agreement, between Slavs, was; neutrality or war, from Russia with love (they chose poorly!).
1
-
1
-
@Biggusdickuss111 There seems to be some confusion here and I'd largely blame "our" media, who seem to be long on opinion, short on fact; while the sponsors of political parties (here) manage to divert huge sums of public money (to themselves, or outside the economy) while rewarding each other and successfully blaming others.
It's surprising to me how many commentators have clearly never been to Russia or China but have decided that they are the enemy, or don't know what they are doing, and also that the ones most keen on war: have never been to war; won't be going, but want others to defend their interests (which are usually money related).
That's not to say that Russia and China are in any way perfect; but this Ukrainian conflict isn't about one man, this is Russia and it's a bit miffed that despite clear warnings not to interfere in their business and receiving assurances; some foreign conglomerates did exactly that.
There may be some disagreement over whether they run government, or government runs them; but there are a few incestuous relationships in this military/industrial/media set up and the problems seems to be lack of accountability and too much money in politics. While it should be mentioned that corporate profits are a poor national objective.
I don't know why anyone would describe a country with over $33 Trillion national debt; large student and credit card debt and a health sector run by insurance companies as anything but corrupt; with social media that sells our data and camera surveillance, even with plans to equip robots with guns (which will not end well).
While if America doesn't want countries to use the dollar then of course they'll find another token through which to exchange goods and services.
There was a huge apocalyptic event in 1991 when USSR (and Warsaw Pact) ended; in my view the Supreme Soviet decided to return Europe to prewar borders; demolish a wall and so end the "Cold War" and try right-wing capitalism (often with comical results). Many of heavily armed groups in Moscow, such as the one using Hotel Ukraine as HQ, returned to power vacuums in their (newly established) countries; oil rich Chechnya (not a prewar country) denied and the oligarchs (with their political and mob connections) were allowed to leave if they didn't get into politics. The one that tried got jailed for 10 years (out in 9) asset stripped and exiled (some people, eh?).
I expect Tucker Carlson got culture shock when he got to Moscow (2nd, or 3rd, biggest city in Europe) to find it's perhaps not that bad and that the economy is nothing like ours.
Russia is not the USSR; it's a social democracy; with an NHS; state funded education; free internet; low cost state-run infrastructure; almost zero homelessness and also has very low wages; it's -20 in Winter and they turn the hot water off a month a year... to clean the pipes. The average Russian (if such a thing exists) is well educated; largely ignores the government and can buy a monthly travel pass for 500Rb ($4).
Maybe stay at Hotel Cosmos (at Russian prices); see VDNK and the Metro (a work of art). I hear the $/Rb rate is pretty good.
You may get lost in the Metro; signage in Russian; but it doubles up as a nuclear fall out shelter.
I still largely blame the media owners here for the idea that America has further business in Eastern Europe, Russia has rather destroyed that now.
These peasants (a term of respect in Russia) are quite good at chess too; I really don't know where people get the idea Russians are slaves. It's pronounced Slavs.
Russia will be fine; it's us I worry about. Those Laurel and Hardy shorts about the great depression... we are staring at an apocalyptic event economically here in the West!
1
-
Dream on... USSR (and Warsaw Pact) ended over 30 years ago: Europe being returned to prewar borders effectively: ended the "Cold War"; reduced the amount of regions (former countries) dependent on Russia and this also allowed the EU/NATO to expand. Despite various assurances, the EU and America's NATO still kept trying to expand; Yugoslavia disintegrated (and it looks like Syria will too); but the (mainly American) corporations that moved into Ukraine (to take control of agriculture and a gas pipeline) they've lost. (gas cut off; farmland in war-zone)
The World Bank (aka "The Institute for the Study of War") who like to lend money to get control of state infrastructure have lost (Ukraine was already bankrupt and Russia has severely damaged the Ukrainian infrastructure). While the Western oligarchs, who fund both (right-wing) political parties in America and the UK are having trouble justifying diverting more public money, to yet another war when there is: world-wide inflation; people living on the streets and the threat of runaway Western national debt (as the interest charges are not being met).
...I don't think you've ever been to the USSR or Russia (Paul Warburg); because you seem to assume that Russian society and the economy works the same way as in the West, when it does not. If we compare the national debts: Russia -$300 Billion; UK -$4,000 Billion; American -$36,000 Billion, which economy looks most likely to collapse? (Your guess is as good as mine).
...You don't seem to understand the difference between a "hard" and a "soft" currency either; while the $/Rb exchange mechanism has largely been abandoned. Hard currencies are considered to be "commodities" (which is a mistake) and a store of value. Soft currencies are not internationally traded and not a store of value (the central bank, not the markets sets the value).
(So while Western currency traders can "make money from money" and even gamble money they don't have; if they play their usual games with a soft currency they'll get "rug pulled").
...Trying to sanction a major exporter, of: gas; coal; oil; grain; iron ore (used to be weapons too) was never going to work: they're very popular; "real commodities"; there are alternative markets in the rising CRIBS (economic partnerships) and so it seems the plan from America all along was to set the EU and Russia against each other (denting two of America's competitors).
...While firing missiles at Russia and trying to claim it's Ukraine is not widely believed; so it seems the Pentagon has had to reign in a few politicians (who will not be going to war) and explain what an open deceleration of war between nuclear superpowers looks like and what it might entail. Not just because Russia has a variety of missiles to which there is no known defense.
... it should also be noted that America and it's NATO has got itself a bad reputation; just calling the massive civilian casualty figures and trail of destruction "whataboutism" might work for the domestic audience, but all this interference in other countries, the numerous regime changes and 800 foreign military bases (more appearing near China) it's leading to a world war...
There are plenty of other anti-Russia copy & paste channels already; I thought the "Icarus Project" was to do with mental health (it used to be) and if you haven't been to Russia (Paul) I strongly suggest it's high time you did. That's because until you understand: the Russian economy and society is nothing like anything you've seen before; that this nation of peasants (a term of respect in Slavic culture; they grow the food) put the first space station in orbit, without the benefit of capitalism, also despite it's many flaws (low disposable income; no land ownership; low level corruption) the socialist system and a centrally planned economy has many advantages. Russia has a national health service (NHS); state funded higher education and free internet (but it's in Russian); subsidized public transport (around $4 for monthly Moscow travel pass); a surplus of grain (vodka $7; bread $1) and low cost utilities... they also have around a million troops in reserve; their own gps (and other things in space) also the largest nuclear arsenal on the planet. It's a technologically driven country (see VDNK for the Soviet Utopian vision).
While in the Slavic culture that 2014 Minsk agreement was about Ukrainian neutrality, or war. So tell me Paul, what does America think it's doing in Ukraine?
It should be noted that Russia did deploy enough troops to "take" Ukraine, or march on Paris; when they entered the Ukrainian civil war. Russia has held the "breakaway" Eastern regions for around three years now and (currently) are advancing; they'll likely want Odessa (not Kyiv) and they'll never use nukes on fellow Slavs (America and the UK are not Slavs). Ukraine is now so far in debt I expect the Western interests still hope to own it, that seems less likely all the time but if Ukraine capitulates the "bankers" lose the lot. That's what "the West" is fighting for...
Only there are better uses for public money (here and now) than supporting a select few who have largely asset stripped the Western economies and the G7 leaders who did are getting voted out. In case you haven't noticed, there's a storm coming; it may be another great recession or maybe the world goes to war and it looks (to me) that Russia and China are not going to get the worst of it. You and I are. As for Ukraine, "Why is Ukraine the West's fault?" explained why and what was going to happen... but nobody listened. Just like our government to "the people".
Something about bears, they can run faster than you; climb trees better than you and can even defeat Lions... don't poke the bear!
1
-
1
-
1