"In x-Soviet bloc countries, people did not question the status quo (despite their widely expressed discontent) because they believed that "one could not do anything". In the U.S., otoh, people do not question the status quo (again despite widely expressed discontent with political institutions), because they believe that everyone is free to do what ones want, and if one's situation sucks it is his own fault and laziness. In both cases, the total denial or total affirmation of individual freedom lead to the same end - the justification of one's conformism."
A lot of really good points in that post Woj. Thanks,
Joanna