Socialist Tyranny Summed up in a Single Photo

Do you live in a tyrannical society, ruled by a powerful and affluent, elite class? If you’re not sure, you can find out with this easy two-step process. First, ask yourself if your leaders live a life of luxury while the masses are mired poverty. And then ask yourself if these leaders flaunt their wealth without any fear of what the public might think or do in response.

For people living under the Soviet sphere of influence during the Cold War, the photo above would have answered both of those questions. What you’re looking at is a picture of Fidel Castro meeting with the Soviet leadership. Everyone around the table is smiling as they watch him light one of the finest cigars made by his countrymen. He’s wearing not one, but two Rolex watches, as a portrait of Karl Marx looms over the scene.

Granted, at the time Rolex’s weren’t considered luxury items. They were simply known for being robust and reliable, and the price reflected that. Still, I don’t think anyone believes that the average citizen of Russia or Cuba could afford such a perfectly built product of the Western capitalist system. Other leftist leaders like Che Guevara and Mao were also fond of their Rolex’s. More recently, the leader of ISIS was caught wearing a ridiculously expensive watch as he spoke to his followers.