[bawolff]

Ask your average min wage service worker how much freedom they actually feel they have

Communism sucking does not magically make USA style capitalism a magical utopian paradise where everyone has a private yacht. Sure between the two i'd definitely pick usa - hands down, but lets not pretend that the average worker in usa can just dictate what their wages will be.

[mantas]

Average american worker has freedom to tell jokes about US president. Average soviet worker also had freedom to tell jokes about US president :)

[meerita]

He doesn't have any option because the market is regulated. In unregulated market he can move to a better paying position, it always happens like this. Just look the IT market, the moment you're feeling you're not well paid you find out someone else who will pay you more, until you reach a line.

[vintermann]

They had options in the East Bloc countries too, it was just that they were limited by who you knew rather than how rich you were.

And I totally agree that being at the mercy of someone you have to ask permission, can be every inch as dispiriting being at the mercy of a person who can set a price.

[nickpp]

Oh no. It doesn't even compare. The current "price" is set by the free market and it can be met, negotiated or worked for. It's clear and it's fair even if sometimes steep.

But asking for permission was dehumanizing. You ass belonged to them afterwards. Like asking for a favor from the mob. You were a slave. They were the aristocracy and you were less than dirt.