yan bielek - knights of columbus
TRANSCRIPT
SocialismSocialism
Yan P. BielekYan P. BielekJanuary 18January 18thth, 2011, 2011
and my first hand experience with itand my first hand experience with it
Just a small family of four: Nora, Just a small family of four: Nora, Peter, Katarina and YanPeter, Katarina and Yan
In July 1984 Left CzechoslovakiaIn July 1984 Left CzechoslovakiaOfficially namedOfficially named
Czechoslovak Socialistic RepublicCzechoslovak Socialistic Republic Lived seven months in a Lived seven months in a
refugee camp in Austriarefugee camp in Austria Came to USA in February 1985Came to USA in February 1985
Who are we?Who are we?
Where we came from?…Where Where we came from?…Where is it?is it?
Country splits into two Country splits into two parts in January 1993parts in January 1993
Where is it?Where is it?
Right in the Right in the Middle of Middle of EuropeEurope
Disaster to human rights – Disaster to human rights – government sponsored terrorism government sponsored terrorism on a grand scale on a grand scale
Gone since 1990 but Gone since 1990 but unfortunately not dead – theory is unfortunately not dead – theory is very “uplifting”very “uplifting”
Human capability to forget and Human capability to forget and live on – new generationslive on – new generations
Why do I speak Why do I speak about socialism?about socialism?
Curent administration bringing Curent administration bringing socialism to the USA socialism to the USA
People around me thinking “rich People around me thinking “rich is wrong”is wrong”
New wave of “progressive” New wave of “progressive” thinking mindsthinking minds
A while ago one of my colleague A while ago one of my colleague said: “Socialism is the best said: “Socialism is the best political system imaginable”political system imaginable”
My eyes almost My eyes almost popped out of the popped out of the sockets sockets
My chin hit the lab My chin hit the lab benchbench
My tongue got stuck to My tongue got stuck to an adhesive I was just an adhesive I was just working onworking on
Making all people equalMaking all people equal Guaranteed health insurance from Guaranteed health insurance from
governmentgovernment Guaranteed right to workGuaranteed right to work Free college educationFree college education Freedom of religionFreedom of religion Freedom of speechFreedom of speech Government subsidized living for everyoneGovernment subsidized living for everyone Government sponsored retirement planGovernment sponsored retirement plan
Constitutional Bill of Constitutional Bill of RightsRights
(Very heart warming(Very heart warming))
Reality CheckReality CheckMaking All People Making All People EqualEqualThe biggest difference ever created The biggest difference ever created
in human historyin human history Government officials getting away Government officials getting away with any crime – never prosecutedwith any crime – never prosecuted10% of population rules everyone 10% of population rules everyone and everythingand everything90% of population is kept with their 90% of population is kept with their mouth shut – “shut up or else”mouth shut – “shut up or else”
Reality CheckReality CheckGuaranteed Health Insurance from Guaranteed Health Insurance from GovernmentGovernment
People left not cared for and dying People left not cared for and dying for lack of moneyfor lack of money Government officials getting the Government officials getting the prime health careprime health careAll expenses are budgeted by All expenses are budgeted by governmentgovernmentOrdinary people had to bribe in Ordinary people had to bribe in order to get medical careorder to get medical careOld people are getting the least of Old people are getting the least of carecare
Reality CheckReality CheckGuaranteed Right to Guaranteed Right to WorkWorkRelatives of government officials Relatives of government officials
are getting the best of jobsare getting the best of jobsOrdinary people have no say on Ordinary people have no say on their occupation – especially when their occupation – especially when not keeping their mouths shutnot keeping their mouths shut Everyone’s pay is determined by Everyone’s pay is determined by “Pay Tables” “Pay Tables” Very low pay check - $75/month on Very low pay check - $75/month on averageaverage
Reality CheckReality CheckFree College EducationFree College Education
Families of government officials Families of government officials preferably admittedpreferably admittedEach college is budgeted by Each college is budgeted by governmentgovernmentLimited number of students Limited number of students accepted by a collegeaccepted by a collegeEducation is available only to those Education is available only to those who are progressivewho are progressive Ordinary people had to bribe in Ordinary people had to bribe in order to get their children into a order to get their children into a schoolschool
Reality CheckReality CheckFreedom of ReligionFreedom of Religion
Atheism is mandated by Atheism is mandated by governmentgovernmentEvery religion is persecuted and Every religion is persecuted and prosecuted no matter what prosecuted no matter what denominationdenominationChurches , synagogues and other Churches , synagogues and other religious establishments are religious establishments are forcefully closedforcefully closedPriests, rabbis, nuns and monks are Priests, rabbis, nuns and monks are killed or imprisonedkilled or imprisonedAny religious behavior is prohibitedAny religious behavior is prohibited
Reality CheckReality CheckFreedom of SpeechFreedom of Speech
People are free to speak as long as People are free to speak as long as they say how wonderful is socialismthey say how wonderful is socialismEvery other opinion is shut down Every other opinion is shut down with brutalitywith brutalityAll medias are 100% censoredAll medias are 100% censoredPeople are watched, listened to and People are watched, listened to and controlled 24/7controlled 24/7If other opinion is voiced - the If other opinion is voiced - the whole family is prosecutedwhole family is prosecuted
Reality CheckReality CheckGovernment Subsidized Government Subsidized LivingLivingGovernment controls 100% of Government controls 100% of
housinghousingIn order to get an apartment one In order to get an apartment one must not to be on the “black list”must not to be on the “black list”Government owns 100% of land – Government owns 100% of land – land is only rented to people for land is only rented to people for building a housebuilding a houseLong waiting list for apartments – Long waiting list for apartments – 15 years15 yearsApartments are build to fit a plan, Apartments are build to fit a plan, not a neednot a need
Reality CheckReality CheckGovernment Sponsored Government Sponsored RetirementRetirementThere is no other retirement optionThere is no other retirement option
The amount is based on very low The amount is based on very low lifetime incomelifetime incomeRetired people are left to their Retired people are left to their despairdespairChildren are supporting their Children are supporting their parents with foodparents with foodCapitalism distributes wealth very Capitalism distributes wealth very unevenly and socialism distributes unevenly and socialism distributes poverty very evenlypoverty very evenly
How come all that How come all that happened?happened? People were pushed to give-up their People were pushed to give-up their
gunsguns Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
People were indoctrinated “rich is People were indoctrinated “rich is wrong”wrong” Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
““Progressive” thinking replaced “the old Progressive” thinking replaced “the old good brain”good brain” Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
Religion was removed from our lifeReligion was removed from our life Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
Group of “progressive” people Group of “progressive” people introduced new bills to control the introduced new bills to control the richrich Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
Socialism can happen only in Socialism can happen only in Russia, not hereRussia, not here Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
A Special Government Security A Special Government Security Force was createdForce was created Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
Parliamentary freedom was replaced Parliamentary freedom was replaced with a single “Progressive Party”. …with a single “Progressive Party”. …Well, we do not need any parliamentary Well, we do not need any parliamentary bickering…bickering… Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar?
Everyone was busy with his/her own Everyone was busy with his/her own affairs, not paying any attention to affairs, not paying any attention to government and all of the sudden it was government and all of the sudden it was too late!too late! Sounds familiar?Sounds familiar? Maybe and hopefully not yet…Maybe and hopefully not yet…
About myself:About myself:Born September 11, 1951Born September 11, 1951
Yes…you are rightYes…you are right
……9/11 was my 509/11 was my 50thth birthday… birthday…
in in BratislavaBratislava Slovak RepublicSlovak Republic
(formerly Czechoslovakia)(formerly Czechoslovakia)
How come 10% communists govern the whole How come 10% communists govern the whole country?country?
““People disappearing over night”People disappearing over night” Being watched from the crib to the graveBeing watched from the crib to the grave Personal file on everyone – Big Brother WatchingPersonal file on everyone – Big Brother Watching 100% conformance required – personal life did 100% conformance required – personal life did
not matternot matter Fear – the main governing toolFear – the main governing tool ““Double Face Life”Double Face Life”
What was Going On?What was Going On?
Kindergarten September 1954Kindergarten September 1954
Everyone is being watchedEveryone is being watched ……to shrug shoulders and say “I don’t know…”to shrug shoulders and say “I don’t know…” Parent’s advice: “Don’t trust anyone…”Parent’s advice: “Don’t trust anyone…” Closely watching and realizing…”Don’t say Closely watching and realizing…”Don’t say
anything!”anything!” Being suspicious of everythingBeing suspicious of everything Making sure I don’t break the cover – my Making sure I don’t break the cover – my
parents were dead seriousparents were dead serious Feelings of not fitting thereFeelings of not fitting there
Growing up and…Growing up and…learning…learning…
Parents, Parents, brother and brother and
sistersister in July 1958in July 1958
A behavior of a person effects not just A behavior of a person effects not just the immediate, but the whole family the immediate, but the whole family (incl. uncles, aunts, grandparents, (incl. uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, in-laws…)cousins, in-laws…)
Whole country surrounded by a three Whole country surrounded by a three layer fencelayer fence
People are forbidden to leave – against People are forbidden to leave – against the lawthe law
Basics I had to learnBasics I had to learn
Mandatory May 1Mandatory May 1stst Parade 1962 Parade 1962
People forced into different things against People forced into different things against their will and it all started from childhood:their will and it all started from childhood:
““Pioneer Organization”Pioneer Organization” ““Socialist Youth Organization”Socialist Youth Organization”
Lies were the mainstream of communicationLies were the mainstream of communication The most democratic governmentThe most democratic government The best society ever created by humansThe best society ever created by humans Election results at 99.99%Election results at 99.99%
Criminal Law – “Making the government Criminal Law – “Making the government and/or a government official a laughing and/or a government official a laughing matter”matter”
Apartment Apartment building building where I where I
lived during lived during my my
childhoodchildhoodbetweenbetween
1952-19751952-1975
Transistor era came at the beginning of Transistor era came at the beginning of 19601960thth
I immersed myself into new I immersed myself into new developmentsdevelopments
Used my new skills to un-jam:Used my new skills to un-jam: The Voice of AmericaThe Voice of America Radio Free EuropeRadio Free Europe
Lifestyle entirely compatible with my dreams Lifestyle entirely compatible with my dreams and way of thinking – light at the end of a tunneland way of thinking – light at the end of a tunnel
I realized I needed to learn the English I realized I needed to learn the English languagelanguage
Middle School May 1967Middle School May 1967
Grabbed opportunity to learn EnglishGrabbed opportunity to learn English Feeling of “not fitting there” was transformed into Feeling of “not fitting there” was transformed into
“desire to run”“desire to run” 1965-68 became a little more free1965-68 became a little more free
Culturally – foreign literature and movies became availableCulturally – foreign literature and movies became available Politically – Communist Party willing to listen to people – Politically – Communist Party willing to listen to people –
talking about organizing real free electionstalking about organizing real free elections Alexander DubcekAlexander Dubcek
It was somewhat easier to breatheIt was somewhat easier to breathe However, soviet brother was closely watchingHowever, soviet brother was closely watching
August 21, 1968August 21, 1968
Why we do not fight aggressor now?Why we do not fight aggressor now? Why we did not fight aggressor in Why we did not fight aggressor in
1938?1938? Sometimes is better to die standing up Sometimes is better to die standing up
than live your life on your kneesthan live your life on your knees Another event reinforcing my “desire Another event reinforcing my “desire
to run”to run” My way of thinking took a sharp turn - My way of thinking took a sharp turn -
foreverforever Native country lost its appeal to meNative country lost its appeal to me Did not share views with othersDid not share views with others Did not understand peopleDid not understand people Felt like a strangerFelt like a stranger
Soviet occupation brought a “new” government – Soviet occupation brought a “new” government – Communist Party “purged”Communist Party “purged”
Suspicion and persecution of everyoneSuspicion and persecution of everyone Everyone guilty unless he/she proved innocence Everyone guilty unless he/she proved innocence
2000 Soviet advisors in Prague2000 Soviet advisors in Prague Situation changed from really bad in 1950’s into Situation changed from really bad in 1950’s into
catastrophic in 1970’scatastrophic in 1970’s Brainwashing was transformed into super-washing of Brainwashing was transformed into super-washing of
brainsbrains People were not watched anymore – they were super-People were not watched anymore – they were super-
watchedwatched
Life became even less bearableLife became even less bearable People closed up completely and People closed up completely and
turned from society to their family lifeturned from society to their family life Desire to run permanently occupied Desire to run permanently occupied
my sub-consciousness – still not readymy sub-consciousness – still not ready Could I leave everyone and everything behind?Could I leave everyone and everything behind? Could I get started somewhere else?Could I get started somewhere else? Could I live like that for the rest of my life?Could I live like that for the rest of my life?
Needed “The Final PushNeeded “The Final Push”” Graduated High School – 1970Graduated High School – 1970 Started STUB – Slovak Technical University BratislavaStarted STUB – Slovak Technical University Bratislava
Married to Nora in February 1975Married to Nora in February 1975
Graduated STU BratislavaGraduated STU BratislavaCollege of Chemical TechnologyCollege of Chemical TechnologyMaster Degree in Plastics & FibersMaster Degree in Plastics & Fibers
July 1975July 1975
Son Peter born in August 1975Son Peter born in August 1975
Daughter Daughter KatarinaKatarina born in born in July 1978July 1978
Learning EnglishLearning English Continued even after graduating Continued even after graduating
universityuniversity My boss asking me – My boss asking me – WHY???WHY???
I told him I wanted to read ShakespeareI told him I wanted to read Shakespeare He believed itHe believed it
Reaching the highest attainable level Reaching the highest attainable level – State Certified Translator for – State Certified Translator for English LanguageEnglish Language
Taking a part time job at Video PressTaking a part time job at Video Press
The Final PushThe Final Push Turning down Communist Party Turning down Communist Party
membership - twicemembership - twice 1981 and 19821981 and 1982 Evening University of Marxism-LeninismEvening University of Marxism-Leninism Scheduled to join the party in December 1984Scheduled to join the party in December 1984
Position at ICI Co. in CzechoslovakiaPosition at ICI Co. in Czechoslovakia Communist Party manipulated my Communist Party manipulated my
life again – the very last timelife again – the very last time ICI office in Bratislava forbidden by the Communist PartyICI office in Bratislava forbidden by the Communist Party My future position transferred to Brno and taken by another My future position transferred to Brno and taken by another
communistcommunist I was done with living in that countryI was done with living in that country
My “desire to run” altered into a simple “go!”My “desire to run” altered into a simple “go!” I rather die than continue living life there on my kneesI rather die than continue living life there on my knees Build a government deceiving plan to leave the country called “Vacation Build a government deceiving plan to leave the country called “Vacation
in Italy”in Italy” It had to be a good plan - or 15 years in prison or we would simply be It had to be a good plan - or 15 years in prison or we would simply be
shotshot ““Being lucky” to be born under socialism Being lucky” to be born under socialism
knew “ropes, bells and whistles”knew “ropes, bells and whistles”
