it can be said that the American way of life had indeed found its way into German everyday life

The life style of victors always finds its way on the occupied one, by hook or by crook, Sometime subtly, at other times by force. When we live with people who are superior to us in any way (being in ruling position is a superiority in its way), we are influenced by them.

Was it not Germans who spied on other Germans? Wasn't it German Volkspolizisten who shot at German refugees at the border?

Hasn't it been happening throughout the course of history. Whenever there is an external power on any country, the forces and powerful elites ally with the occupiers just to maintain and strenthen their positions. They don't care for the masses, do they?

Shall I blame myself for having been brainwashed unter this or that regime? Shall I call myself bad names and regret my former stupid young me?

There is no use of regreting. At that age we have dreams of future. We see the brightness around us that is spread by the propagandas. The brightness dazzles our vision. We cannot see anything else.

So far as Ukraine thing is concerned. I am not happy for the war anywhere in the world, but I feel really very sorry on the insensitivity of the world when I find no voice for Palestine and kashmir from anywhere. They have been in the war and facing barbarism for decades. No media speaks about them. For Ukraine, at least there is voice around the globe.