However, there is also a positive aspect to Soviet policy. The absence of social stratification has a positive effect on people's relationships, fostering camaraderie and mutual assistance. But the attitude of our government at the time towards the people is sometimes simply shocking. In the 1980s, the second-largest source of income for the USSR, after the sale of oil abroad, was the sale of alcoholic beverages to the country's population. And now we are seeing terrible consequences, especially adolescent alcoholism. The nation is slowly becoming an alcoholic nation, and an alcoholic nation cannot be a fully functional one. As a result, without any McDonald's or American ideology, we can destroy ourselves. But we can be proud that no one drinks as much as Russians do. Excellent.
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die,
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
Take away our pride.
G.K. Chesterton: English Hymnal