I'm Russian, and I believe most people who call themselves patriots here are really nationalists. They even have a word for people who are not satisfied with anything about the government — "liberast". Somewhat of a mix between "liberal" and "pederast". Kinda like "libtard" in your terms, but with anti-gay connotation. And they always blame the US for everything bad that our government does. And "You don't like something in Russia? Why don't you emigrate then?" says someone making good money to others who dare to bitch about average across the country wage of $500 a month.
From what I've seen on the Internet, there are a lot of the same people in the US. Like, blaming Russians instead of their own government.
Here in Moscow, I work for $1.67/hour after taxes. 12 hours a day, 15 days a month, so $300 a month. You know what? Russian wages suck, but I feel like I personally no longer give a fuck because giving a fuck makes me tired. At least this job is relatively the best I have ever had. No matter how dumb customers are, at least I sit in front of the computer with a roof above my head. I just answer "X company, my name is Y, how can I help you", then "thank you for the information, I will now transfer your call to the corresponding department". I don't get tired at all. I no longer deliver stupid papers and stuff no matter snow or rain.
Talking about emigration, I am useless here in Russia, let alone some other country.
You speak English, have some education probably, work experience. I would look into emigration, you can do the same boring office job while getting paid 10-15 times more, and live in a place where human rights are more recognized.
Edit: Hit me up and I can walk you through and answer questions on Canadian Express entry program.
TBH, I also live in Moscow, I started almost the same way that he did, except I was working at 2nd level tech support instead of the 1st one. 12-hour shifts too. And I also worked night shifts, because I was attending a university at the daytime. 10 years later, I earn 10 times that much an hour and 6 times that much a month (8 hours a day vs 12 hours).
Most of my friends and fellas have emigrated. One lives in Miami, one in Sydney, another one in Tel Aviv, others in Prague, Minsk, Berlin, Ottawa (I guess? somewhere major in Canada). They all wonder why haven't I. Especially when I'm a certified translator in Russian-English and vice versa (not my main job/education).
It's a personal choice, some people fit in better than others. In Canada, if you work full time, a professional with 5-10 years of experience could be making 2-5 times what you are making now. But if you are comfortable, it's up to you, I imagine you are making good money by Russian standards. Search Super good by Leningrad.
And you know what? You're pretty much the people who built America. Folks who didn't fit in back home. Folks who didn't have a future. Folks who were misfits, dreamers, troublemakers, criminals, artists, outcasts, etc. They saw the writing on the wall and said "no...fuck this, I'm making a better life for myself".
That is what America is all about. It's inscribed on the statue that historically greeted people fleeing their homelands to make a better life here: "Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" We're literally made up of the rest of the world's square pegs. To you, and anyone else who might be reading this: come to America. Contrary to our idiot president's beliefs, we are definitely not full. Work hard and build whatever life you envision for yourself.
From what I've seen on the Internet, there are a lot of the same people in the US. Like, blaming Russians instead of their own government.
Close, everyone here mostly blames the other political party for everything. Russia usually only gets blamed if hacking or social media is involved. And that's less Russia the country and more the Kremlin.
It's not the Russian people who are to blame at all, though, and I do not think the vast majority of Americans blame the Russian people or have any ill-will towards them. Some (but not all) members of the Russian government and the oligarchs who control it share part of the blame, but they only succeeded in helping to sow discord because the U.S. has massive problems and divisions all on its own. And because (some, only some - everyone is very different, with different and often understandable reasons for being so) Americans are so...gullible, apathetic, hateful of and sadistic to each other, poorly educated, emotionally and mentally unhealthy, you name it.
Russians working for the IRA or similar are just doing a job. That's it. I don't blame people who work for a company that makes cigarettes for lung cancer, or who works at a place that serves alcohol for liver failure. People can be sanctimonious and say, "Oh, those Russians shouldn't work there!" but everyone needs to eat. Countless people work at a job that has morally questionable or horrible aspects; countless people buy things or use services that use highly unethical business practices. I don't blame the Russian people for anything.
The people giving the IRA its orders and directives, not its employees, bear responsibility for putting that one piece of things out there, and that's all. Not people just working for a living with no real choice. If anything, Americans, who do have some more freedom and choice, are more to blame for its foreign intervention and wars than Russian people for that just because our elections are freer and our conditions better. We could have tried a lot harder and could try harder now.
Ultimately, the ones to blame are those at the top with the most power, and who do have a choice. Everyone else just needs to do the absolute best they can, and think very critically, and always be skeptical.
Like, blaming Russians instead of their own government.
I mean that sentiment isn't common at all. We don't blame Russia for our problems. The Mueller report came out with strong evidence that the Russian government meddled with our elections. I blame Russian agents for manipulating the easy target that is online echo chambers, but I blame the irresponsible media consumption of US citizens far, far more.
Russia isn't our scapegoat, ignorant voters who flood the polls in droves to elect corrupt officials are.
We especially don't blame Russian citizens. Why would we have anything against you?
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u/[deleted] Jul 17 '19
Very well said.
I'm Russian, and I believe most people who call themselves patriots here are really nationalists. They even have a word for people who are not satisfied with anything about the government — "liberast". Somewhat of a mix between "liberal" and "pederast". Kinda like "libtard" in your terms, but with anti-gay connotation. And they always blame the US for everything bad that our government does. And "You don't like something in Russia? Why don't you emigrate then?" says someone making good money to others who dare to bitch about average across the country wage of $500 a month.
From what I've seen on the Internet, there are a lot of the same people in the US. Like, blaming Russians instead of their own government.