case in point, the folks in Viet Nam have demonstrated some competence.
Political freedom is not everything.
I have met and worked with Cuban scholars, know a Cuban neurosurgeon who makes about 5x what a janitor makes ... and he is fine with it. He doesn't express himself politically. But he is ok, really. His daughter gets healthcare, and is being university educated, and will be heading to Madrid for a fellowship soon.
Castro would smack the piss out of the idiots in NK given half a chance. The Chinese probably need to see a therapist after they get off the phone with these guys.
Amazing. When faced with that one must observe a simple policy: stay out of war with them. Darwin is not smiling on these folks. Be careful. I think Obama and formerly Hillary get this.