It`s easy from this side of the Atlantic to cheer on the people of the former Soviet Union as they pursue democracy and free markets.
The devil, as they say, is in the details, and for the people of Moscow, life without price controls has sent inflation into the triple digits.
As USA Today reported, the tough times have even shortened the once long lines at the Moscow McDonald`s.
And no wonder. What would be a bargain in the United States-a Big Mac, Coke and fries for 75 cents-is a nightmare for the typical Muscovite. Seventy- five cents equals about 78 rubles, or 15 percent of the average Muscovite`s monthly wage. If the typical American making $35,000 a year had to pay such a large chunk of his or her monthly salary, it would amount to $437.50 for a meal that you can get here for under $5.
That`s one measure of how far the former Soviet Union has to go. Thank goodness, however, McDonald`s workers don`t expect a tip. For our typical American, that would require another 65 bucks.
