We visited Prague, Czech Republic, in October. Wow. It is the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen, and we’ve traveled a bunch.

Old meets new, and spectacular ancient buildings and towers rise over a modern tram system. Around every corner is another ornate bridge, or a place for your jaw to drop. Great–and I mean great–restaurants at reasonable prices. Spectacular museums and art. Clean and safe. And the world’s best beers, according to those who know hops and grains. It was delightful.

But Prague is sobering also. A world touched by memories of political eras and varied governance.

Across the street from our hotel was the Museum of Communism. It told the story of Czechoslovakia from the end of Hitler through the time of Communism under Russian control. It displayed the posters, tools, conditions, and history of the years until the USSR power dissolved. The museum shook me deeply—and so I am responding now.

My take away. It seems that Communism always promises a fair redistribution of resources and a shared world of equality. Good for all. An end to the oppressive billionaire.

By 1985, one third of the world lived under communism. But the natty-dressed leaders, Marx-Lenin-Mao, like Narnia’s White Witch, leave out some parts of the plan. Like general poverty, secret police, oppression, and murder—over 100 million people were killed by Communist governments in places like China, the Soviet Union, Cambodia, North Vietnam, Venezuela, Cuba, and North Korea over the last 80 years. Wherever communism has been tried, poverty and tyranny rise and bodies pile up. It is always winter and never Christmas.

As I read the headlines, Communism seems to be spinning up the tale again. Communism has proven itself as the great bait-and-switch. Promise a dream. Utopia, equality, Eden, justice. In Game of Thrones terms, it is the beautiful young dragon queen who promises to “break the wheel of oppression” and then roasts a million people from her dragon to gain power. One wall in the museum summarized the real-world experience of the Czechs with Communism.

DREAM.     REALITY.      NIGHTMARE.

Lest we forget.

Or never offer a real-world class at our university.

Or believe charlatans like Putin or Kim Jong-un or Xi.

Or just hum “It’s a Small World” while we eat Turkish Delight.

In Prague, people have clear, open eyes. Although their world is imperfect still, the people we met in Czech loved America, the West, NATO, freedom, and economic opportunities. Diversity and education and choice abound. The future seems uphill but achievable. The Czechs are willing to work hard for it. They have seen the promises and the reality. They have lived the nightmare. No wonder they love the light. Smiles abounded. No looking back.