History was made as the People`s Congress of the Soviet Union granted President Mikhail Gorbachev almost unlimited power to direct his country`s political and economic future. Stopping short of embracing a new multiparty system of government in that country, President George Bush should carefully view the recent events in Eastern Europe with cautious optimism at best.
It would be wise not to forget the events which shaped Europe after World War II, even though the prospects for world peace have never been better. It`s hard to believe that ideologies that perfected labor camps and human rights violations have been completely purged from the Soviet political hierarchy.
Economically, is America prepared to compete with the vast resources available to the Soviet Union? Right now, yes; years from now, let`s wait and see. The Soviets have three times the labor force, untapped natural resources and plenty of people who need work.
All this poses an interesting question: In the long run, is it cheaper to run a cold war or compete with the Russians?
