I don't know much about Russia. However, I remain very interested in the land my family called home until the beginning of the 20th Century.
All this week, I have been reading eulogies and obits about former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. I am struck by the credit that these writers give him for opening Russia to democracy and pluralism.
I find these platitudes to be disingenuous. Yeltsin did try to open Russia, but his personal failings doomed the effort.
He handpicked Vladimir Putin to be his successor; if for no other reason than a promise that Putin gave Yeltsin to keep him out of the gulag. Putin quickly undid Yeltsin's reforms and began cementing in yet another Russian totalitarian regime.
Russia may not now resemble the former Soviet Union. However, every year that Putin remains in power it reminds me more and more of the czarist monarchy. Perhaps Russia is not ready for democracy. However, giving credit to a corrupt drunkard who sold his country's future in order to get away with his crimes seems inappropriate.
My musings. Usually, I use this space to talk about what is going on in my hometown, Great Falls, Montana. I also talk about the State of Montana, Jewish theology and anything else that percolates to the top of my mind. Enjoy the read.
About Me
- Treasure State Jew
- Great Falls, MT
Full Disclosure
I try to be active in my community. However, if you are going to read my posts, I think it worthwhile that you know something about the organizations with which I affiliate.
I am the current chair of Great Falls Neighborhood Council 7. If you live in that district, please feel free to contact me about any issue you would like brought before the council.
I am on the board of my synagogue, Congregation Aitz Chaim; the Great Falls Hebrew Association. Aitz Chaim is the only organized Jewish community in Northcentral Montana.
I am on the board and a former past-President of the Montana Association of Jewish Communities. MAJCO is an umbrella organization that attempts to help the growth and strength of all seven organized Jewish communities in the State of Montana.
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3 comments:
Boris definitely was not perfect, but he deserves credit for effectively declaring that "Soviet communism" was officially dead, and he should be honored for that. Without him, we might very well still be engaged in a true Cold War, and the world would be much worse off.
Would we be worse off? The USSR was many things, but one thing it was not was inefficient.
Right now, we have a third world, corrupt system willing to sell its nuclear technology to insane regimes in North Korea and Iran. There is not effective tracking of nuclear technology and supplies owned by the former Soviet state.
As long as a Cold war stays cold, it is better than a hot one (IMHO), as we are now embroiled in the Middle East.
I would not go so far as to say the USSR was effecient. It was inefficient (economically speaking) which directly led to its downfall. That said, the USSR did give the region more political stability while it lasted.
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