Silvio ebbxctroaer@gmail.com – Posted On: December 10, 2015

Is China even communist anmroye? Isn't it really authoritarian? What's the difference? (My background's in science, so I really don't know. Sorry it's such a basic question.) I think the country's best described as a mixed-state with the caveat that people try to ignore politics as much as humanly possible. I don't know what the economic structure at the top actually is. They vaguely resemble the SOEs you see in socialist states like Norway, but they're not run with democratic oversight, nor are the benefits dispursed to the people like you see in socialist or communist states. I don't know enough about China to really understand what's going on here. I get the vague impression that Chinese characteristics is a euphemism for economic authoritarianism. But maybe I'm misinterpreting things because I'm not an econ person? I had a really interesting conversation with a friend about this. I told her I'd only have a kid if I could move to Norway or Finland. When she asked why, I went down the list of benefits and explained that the benefits existed because they're socialist. (This may not continue to exist because of the Euro crisis, but they'd still be the best places to live if you're a woman because of the overall culture.) She thought there were only two types of governments in the world capitalist and communist. She was shocked to learn that there was anything else let alone dozens of anything elses. I think that, more than anything else, speaks volumes.

Mitchell Prior Phoenix, AZ. & Loyal, WI. – Posted On: July 16, 2015

Oh how my memories come flooding back when I think of Edith & Edgar. I think I was in junior high when they built there home in Loyal next door to us. I always got taken to the cleaners on the pool table down in the basement by Edgar. Edith would always be baking up something in the kitchen. They were very good neighbors to my mother Dorothy after my father died in 1975. You just couldn't ask for any better people to live next to. I will never forget the Verhalens.

My most heartfelt condolences,
Mitchell Prior

Joan & Vern Ruffi Wisconsin Rapids, WI – Posted On: July 15, 2015

Bonnie, Buddy, Kenny & Shirley,
We're wishing you peace at this sad time. May all the wonderful memories comfort you both.We won't able to attend the funeral on Friday. However, you'll be in our prayers. Love lives on forever.
Vern & Joan