A large number of Americans still think that Russia is the Soviet Union, that the country is a crumbling wreck and the people are atheists and miserable. Boy, are they wrong. I received the following note this morning from a friend who exemplifies this mistaken prejudice. He wrote:
“I have been in Russia a few years ago before any wars, and the standard of living even for well educated people remains quite low. So, they may have a bigger better economy than we all know, but it is not translating to a much better life for its citizens compared to the EU or America. Relative to what it was before Putin it is very much better, but compared to the west or Japan it is still far behind. What will 500,000+ dead and wounded and 100,000 more fleeing and a very low birth rate in a rapidly declining demographic, do for the economy. Nothing good.”
Wrong, wrong, wrong!!!! Although I have only visited the two largest cities in Russia — Moscow in the winter and St. Petersburg on the cusp of summer — I can report that the average Russian appears to be living as well, if not better, than their counterparts in the United States or Japan. Especially when it comes to quality of life. Unlike the big cities in the United States, you can stroll along the streets and boulevards of Moscow or St. Petersburg without worrying about getting mugged or stumbling over some homeless addict sprawled on the sidewalk. The streets are clean. No used needles or face masks. Try explaining to Russians a “poop” map. They cannot grasp the concept.
With the threat of nuclear war higher than it’s ever been in my lifetime (and I was alive during the Cuban missile crisis), I’ve been thinking more about Russia. Unlike most of our national (U.S.) politicians, I don’t hate Russia or the Russian people. (Same goes for China.)The more I learn about Russians, the more I like and admire them.
Advanced Mediterranean Diet 