Exactly. I think the biggest mistake Americans make about the USSR is focusing on the oppressiveness. ANY state can be oppressive. The US, the UK, Nazis, Fascists, Communists, and whatever. Some of the worst places in the world have Democratic in their names...

Socialism doesn't work with or without the oppression. Of course it requires oppression and leads to insane oppression even if you removed that aspect and had it run by angels you'd have mass starvation.