Leon Weinstein, Soviet emigre, expert on totalitarianism and the author of the new book, Capitalism 101

Frontpage Interview’s guest today is Leon Weinstein, the author of the new book, Capitalism 101.

FP: Leon Weinstein, welcome to FrontPage Interview.

Let’s begin with your background. Tell us about your life in Russia and how you ended up here in America. It was almost impossible to get out of the Soviet Union at the time you left (1974), how did you manage to get out?

Weinstein: In 1972-73 the Soviet Union experienced yet another shortage of food. “Deficits” of food and everything else is a typical thing for the socialist regimes on their advanced stages when all means of production are in the hands of the states. The Soviets came to the US and asked to loan them about one million tons of wheat. The US Congress approved the deal with a little provision that demanded from the Soviets to allow at least some limited emigration. About fifty thousand people got out of the “prison of nations”, as we called it. I was lucky to be among those first ones. You may consider me as one of the few who know their own price tag. If you would divide one million tons of wheat by fifty thousand emigrants, you will see that I was exchanged for twenty tons of wheat. Not a bad price! I doubt however that you can return me back. First of all, there is no Soviet Union any more, and second – I probably worth much less by now.

FP: How different was life in the USSR from the free world? Tell us about your observations and your intellectual journey.

Tears For Kim Jong-Il — on The Jamie Glazov Show

By Frontpagemag.com

Listen to the Jamie Glazov Show that aired on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at 8-9 pm Pacific (11-12 pm EST) on Blog Talk Radio. This week’s guest was:

Leon Weinstein, Soviet emigre, expert on totalitarianism and the author of the new book, Capitalism 101.
Listen to the program by clicking here. Or go to:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/radio-jihad/2011/12/21/the-jamie-glazov-show

The Glazov Gang:

A distinguished panel goes toe-to-toe about what America needs most on Jamie Glazov’s television show. (This is Part III of a three-part episode. To see Part I, click here; to see Part II, click here): part III http://frontpagemag.com/2011/12/21/simple-solutions-for-americas-problems-out-1/