A story from a communism-filled childhood

Most Americans today have little to no experience with the horrors it brings to a country. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ Friend, Most Americans today have little to no experience with the horrors it brings to a country. When they think of socialism, they forget about the empty grocery stores, gas shortages, propaganda, and secret police. Let me introduce myself to you. I am Zilvinas Silenas, the President of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), and I grew up in Soviet-controlled Lithuania. As much as I hate to say it, I am seeing the rise of socialism in America. And I am terrified. We must show the next generation what socialism can do to a country. I’ve set a goal to raise $7,000 in the next 48 hours to support FEE in the Classroom and share the importance of liberty and free markets with students. [Will you support the next generation as they fight communism with a gift of $15, $35, $50, or any amount? Click here to send your gift today ]( Do you want to know what’s it like to grow up in Soviet-controlled Lithuania? Let me tell you a story from my childhood. On May 1, 1986, my family skipped the mandatory workers’ parade in Lithuania. Instead of carrying around red carnations, red balloons, and red placards denouncing the U.S. and the West, we went sunbathing at a local lake. The lake was polluted with industrial runoff from a government-owned leather factory, so swimming was out of the question. Still, the day was unusually warm, so we enjoyed the sunshine, which is not so abundant in the northeastern climes where Lithuania (then–Soviet Socialist Republic of Lithuania) sits. What we didn’t know was that five days before, on April 26, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, sending radioactive clouds westwards through Belarus, Lithuania, all the way to Sweden and Norway. You see, on May 1, we did not know. No one told us. In fact, until the Scandinavians picked up elevated levels of radiation, most people in the Soviet Union did not know what had happened. That’s how we were treated under socialism. During the moment, that was a rare day of sunshine and fun — something that didn’t happen often under Soviet reign. But it was still contaminated by the broken ideology that swept over my home country. These are not the stories politicians and the media want the next generation to hear. But your generous support will help FEE bring our pro-liberty and pro-free markets message directly to students. [Click here to spread the pro-liberty revolution in classrooms across the nation ]( FEE in the Classroom is a unique program held in brick-and-mortar and virtual classrooms across the country that teaches young Americans the principles of free markets, individual liberty, and limited government. Students engage with FEE’s faculty of acclaimed instructors through compelling lectures, exciting economic experiments, engaging group discussions, and Q&As. When students complete FEE in the Classroom, they walk away with a new appreciation for the freedom we have in this country. Right now, socialism is gaining popularity with the next generation because celebrities, politicians, and the media tell them it’s the “right” or “moral” choice. But FEE in the Classroom is telling them the truth about the values of liberty and free markets. Can I count on you to support FEE in the Classroom and support a student? Click below to donate and help reach our goal of raising $7,000 in the next 48 hours. [Donate $10 ]( [Donate $35 ]( [Donate $50 ]( [Donate $100 ]( [Donate $250 ]( [Donate $500 ]( [Donate $1,000 ]( [Donate Any Amount ]( Thank you, Zilvinas Silenas President Foundation for Economic Education FEE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization, so donations made to FEE are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law. If {EMAIL} should not be subscribed or if you need to change your subscription information for Deroy Murdock, [please use this preferences page](. 625 First Street #183, Alexandria, VA 22314