Reforming Russia?

[calmissile]

Watching the name list  you provided I'm afraid I have no any choice but to be a pro-Putin supporter 
My mindset is pretty close to an average russian (my suspictions), so I think the typical attitude to the bright stars crowd could be expressed with words from Vysotski's song "Letter from a madhouse". Just a fragment:
Мы не сделали скандала -
Нам вождя недоставало:
Настоящих буйных мало -
Вот и нету вожаков.
[Rough translation:

Belvis,


Mendy, would you propose Paris Hilton (Kseniya Sobchak) to lead USA? Even Zhirinovsky looks as a decent politician on their background. Let them to be bright stars and entertain  TV audience, but I don't want they affect my life.

For those of us that did not grow up under a communist totalitarian state, could you please enlighten us on your opinions.  Specifically
1.  What actions that Putin has taken recently, and criticized by Mendy, do you support and why?
2.  What is it about a totalitarian state that you find benificial to your perosonal life?
3.  What are your reasons for not supporting decocratic principals?
4.  Were you a communist or communist symypathizer in the past?


Some migt feel that Paris Hilton would be better than what we currently have for a president.  There might be some small chance that she would follow the laws of the land and specifically the constitution.

[Belvis]

For those of us that did not grow up under a communist totalitarian state, could you please enlighten us on your opinions.  Specifically
1.  What actions that Putin has taken recently, and criticized by Mendy, do you support and why?
2.  What is it about a totalitarian state that you find benificial to your perosonal life?
3.  What are your reasons for not supporting decocratic principals?
4.  Were you a communist or communist symypathizer in the past?

Some migt feel that Paris Hilton would be better than what we currently have for a president.  There might be some small chance that she would follow the laws of the land and specifically the constitution.

I would prefer a talk about babes but O.K., a few random thoughts.
When you grow up under a  totalitarian state, you never feel it's a totalitarian one. For example I have a lot of more personal freedom in Russia than I experienced in USA where people have to live within elaborated law restrictions. This freedom may be not good for a society, I mention it as a matter of fact I saw. Back to questions:
1. Actions of Putin I supported - reasonable economic policy, first of all. Mendy criticism has focused on street protests. To be honest I don't care much about protests in Moscow as it is pure local action which will have no major effect on real politics and people wellbeing.
2. I experienced many good things during totalitarian FSU times, however you're interested in today's life. Present-day Russia looks totalitarian only in TV news abroad So it would be easier to find   benifits if more totalitarianism will come in Russia. I hope then the total ban on smoking will be imposed and enforced, for example.
3. I can live under a democracy or monarchy.  No objections against democratic principals, now we follow them though both sides try to break them all the time. Funny, what you see about Russia on TV  I see the same things here about USA. Though judicial system in USA seems to be much more effective and certainly harder in cracking down the unrests.
4. I confess I failed to become  a communist during FSU times (was too young). However I could  if I  find it beneficial for my career. Even though I could be a communist of convenience  I see too many flaws in communist ideology to share it. I like old good capitalism of XIX c. in USA but probably I'm a hopeless romantic

[alyosha]

I would prefer a talk about babes but O.K., a few random thoughts.
When you grow up under a  totalitarian state, you never feel it's a totalitarian one. For example I have a lot of more personal freedom in Russia than I experienced in USA where people have to live within elaborated law restrictions. This freedom may be not good for a society, I mention it as a matter of fact I saw. Back to questions:
1. Actions of Putin I supported - reasonable economic policy, first of all. Mendy criticism has focused on street protests. To be honest I don't care much about protests in Moscow as it is pure local action which will have no major effect on real politics and people wellbeing.
2. I experienced many good things during totalitarian FSU times, however you're interested in today's life. Present-day Russia looks totalitarian only in TV news abroad So it would be easier to find   benifits if more totalitarianism will come in Russia. I hope then the total ban on smoking will be imposed and enforced, for example.
3. I can live under a democracy or monarchy.  No objections against democratic principals, now we follow them though both sides try to break them all the time. Funny, what you see about Russia on TV  I see the same things here about USA. Though judicial system in USA seems to be much more effective and certainly harder in cracking down the unrests.
4. I confess I failed to become  a communist during FSU times (was too young). However I could  if I  find it beneficial for my career. Even though I could be a communist of convenience  I see too many flaws in communist ideology to share it. I like old good capitalism of XIX c. in USA but probably I'm a hopeless romantic

In America we called the capitalist of the late XIX C "Rober Barrons."
We have regressed some what in that we now have rober barrons again.  Bill Gates a few years ago had a wealth of $90,000,000,000 in 2012 dollars.
As to banning smoking here in Amerca instead of bannng it we just demonize it in the media.  That seems to be working.   I advise the same tactics for you. By all means continue to expose smoking as bad for men, their families and society.

[alyosha]

For Belvis, the self described "hopeless romantic"

Enjoy:

[mendeleyev]

Mendy, would you propose Paris Hilton (Kseniya Sobchak) to lead USA? Even Zhirinovsky looks as a decent politician on their background. Let them to be bright stars and entertain  TV audience, but I don't want they affect my life.

As you likely know I had the opportunity to converse with Sobchak recently. She is called a "Paris Hilton" by some of course, but I was impressed by the depth of her political savvy and intelligence. As you know she is from a very influential family and the daughter of Putin's mentor, Anatoly Alexandrovich (Sobchak). Her father was co-author of the Constitution. Her "elevator does indeed go up to the top floor" or you could say that the "lights are on and somebody is definitely home" when describing her.

Would I wish for her to be president? Odd that you chose the most eccentric of the lot as the rest of the names I listed are very well known and have rightly earned places of respect in society. I am not a voter, nor should I choose the next Russian president, so that is not for me to say. Would I wish for Paris Hilton to be president of the USA? Well, it couldn't get any worse than some we've already had but no I wouldn't. However in terms of brain power and drive, Sobchak and Hilton really don't play in the same ballpark. Sobchak has a brain, she also has a young and free spirit whereas Hilton simply has money and can afford to act stupidly.

My friend Alyona Popova is not ready today to assume her goal of Prime Minister, but she is intelligent and has the desire to learn diplomacy and politics and at her age has plenty of time to continue to mature and grow into that job. Few already have accomplished as much for women entrepreneurs in Russia as Alyona.

The best thing that could happen to Russia is for Mr. Putin to make the changes needed for modernization and democracy. Were he to do that, his approval ratings would soar and the opposition would have the opportunity to become what is sometimes called the "loyal opposition" and work as a balance and check on government instead of the tense standoff we have now. However for that to happen, the rape and pillage of Russian assets would have to stop and that would leave some very wealthy citizens upset. At some point you have to choose whether to serve the country or continue to amass control and wealth among a concentrated few.

The new protest law and how the government plans to enforce it is being put to the test. Several arrests have taken place across Russia in recent weeks of groups of 10 people or more just going to a movie or out to dinner as a result of the new anti-protest law. On the end of this month there will be a "non-rally" outside of Moscow, in Gagarin, at a park. Complying with the new law, there are to be no signs, no slogans, no marches. Only live outdoor small group seminars on how to encourage citizens to run for office and non-violent change in Russia. The opposition is going out of their way to make this a peaceful meeting without loud speeches and political colours and no promotion of any political party will be allowed. Opposition attorneys will be on hand to make sure that organizers follow the new law, and to represent any citizen falsely arrested for participating.

The first test will be around 8am on 30 June at Belorussky Rail Terminal where attenders, limited to 100, will meet Alexi Navalny and others to travel to Gagarin on the regional electric train. In May, police detained travelers from several Siberian cities to Moscow if they were traveling in groups and had signs, white ribbons, etc. We'll see on 30 June whether police meet travelers and detain those headed for Gagarin.

The second test will be on the same day at the town of Gagarin itself, 166 km (103 miles) from Moscow. The electric train will take participants to Gagarin. Will there be arrests made in Gagarin if citizens travel from Moscow in a group? Remember no march will take place, no rally will be held, and no signs, symbols or chants will be allowed. We'll see what happens.
                       
 

[alyosha]

As you likely know I had the opportunity to converse with Sobchak recently. She is called a "Paris Hilton" by some of course, but I was impressed by the depth of her political savvy and intelligence. As you know she is from a very influential family and the daughter of Putin's mentor, Anatoly Alexandrovich (Sobchak). Her father was co-author of the Constitution. Her "elevator does indeed do up to the top floor" or you could say that the "lights are on and somebody is definitely home" when describing her.

Would I wish for her to be president? Odd that you chose the most eccentric of the lot as the rest of the names I listed are very well known and have rightly earned places of respect in society. I am not a voter, nor should I choose the next Russian president, so that is not for me to say. Would I wish for Paris Hilton to be president of the USA? Well, it couldn't get any worse than some we've already had but no I wouldn't. However in terms of brain power and drive, Sobchak and Hilton really don't play in the same ballpark. Sobchak has a brain, she also has a young and free spirit whereas Hilton simply has money and can afford to act stupidly.

My friend Alyona Popova is not ready today to assume her goal of Prime Minister, but she is intelligent and has the desire to learn diplomacy and politics and at her age has plenty of time to continue to mature and grow into that job. Few already have accomplished as much for women entrepreneurs in Russia as Alyona.

The best thing that could happen to Russia is for Mr. Putin to make the changes needed for modernization and democracy. Were he to do that, his approval ratings would soar and the opposition would have the opportunity to become what is sometimes called the "loyal opposition" and work as a balance and check on government instead of the tense standoff we have now. However for that to happen, the rape and pillage of Russian assets would have to stop and that would leave some very wealthy citizens upset. At some point you have to choose whether to serve the country or continue to amass control and wealth among a concentrated few.

The new protest law and how the government plans to enforce it is being put to the test. Several arrests have taken place across Russia in recent weeks of groups of 10 people or more just going to a movie or out to dinner as a result of the new anti-protest law. On the end of this month there will be a "non-rally" outside of Moscow, in Gagarin, at a park. Complying with the new law, there are to be no signs, no slogans, no marches. Only live outdoor small group seminars on how to encourage citizens to run for office and non-violent change in Russia. The opposition is going out of their way to make this a peaceful meeting without loud speeches and political colours and no promotion of any political party will be allowed. Opposition attorneys will be on hand to make sure that organizers follow the new law, and to represent any citizen falsely arrested for participating.

The first test will be around 8am on 30 June at Belorussky Rail Terminal where attenders, limited to 100, will meet Alexi Navalny and others to travel to Gagarin on the regional electric train. In May, police detained travelers from several Siberian cities to Moscow if they were traveling in groups and had signs, white ribbons, etc. We'll see on 30 June whether police meet travelers and detain those headed for Gagarin.

The second test will be on the same day at the town of Gagarin itself, 166 km (103 miles) from Moscow. The electric train will take participants to Gagarin. Will there be arrests made in Gagarin if citizens travel from Moscow in a group? Remember no march will take place, no rally will be held, and no signs, symbols or chants will be allowed. We'll see what happens.
                     

I had wondered about the Russian government banning of street demonstrations.  It seemed possible it was just meant to avoid public situations that could get violent.
And violence can lead to revolution.
But since you are telling us political party signs are also banned at outdoor meetings it seems more likely to be an attempt to cement political power in the ruling party.
As to wealth being concentrated in a few Russian hands, we have had the same problem in the U.S. A. It began when confiscatory tax rates on the very wealthy were repealed in the mid 1980's.
After 1985 greed became rampant in America. 
There was a report this moring of an American couple who had a 2,000 square meter house worth $19,000,000.  The couple next door were relatively poor people whose house went into fore closure.  The rich couple bought the poor couples house at the bargain price of $4,000,000.  Then the truely rich couple tore the house down.  They had wanted to get rid of it as it deminished the view from their $19,000,000 house.

I would advise Russia to try to put in confiscatory tax rates for rich people who insist on spending vast wealth on themselves.
In America if you were subject to very high tax rates you could avoid paying the taxes by donating instead to a charity of your own choosing.
But as you say it will be difficult due to opposition from the extremely rich.  It will take a long time.

[ML]

I would advise Russia to try to put in confiscatory tax rates for rich people who insist on spending vast wealth on themselves.

Yes, it certainly isn't right that people can spend their own money on themselves.
In fact, there should be some sort of death penalty once a person accumulates a certain wealth level.
Teach those bustards a lesson.

[alyosha]

Yes, it certainly isn't right that people can spend their own money on themselves.
In fact, there should be some sort of death penalty once a person accumulates a certain wealth level.
Teach those bustards a lesson.

The problem is not people making a lot of money  The problem is rampant greed.  Even Ted Turner wasn't greedy.  He gave away a billion to the U.N. 
Ted was mostly interested in the power and control.  He even said once that "Control is better than sex."
I wonder how that comment made poor Jane Fonda feel?
If Andrew Carnegie gave his entire fortune to public libraries, as I am told, he wasn't a problem either.
Good entrepenuers like Turner and Carnegie wouldn't have to turn over vast sums to the government to fund welfare and food stamps.  They would just have to spend it on what ever public good they themselves chose. 
Maybe Bill Gates would like to fund refurbishment of the interstate highway system.   I could care less what public good he chose.

[Boethius]

Yes, it certainly isn't right that people can spend their own money on themselves.
In fact, there should be some sort of death penalty once a person accumulates a certain wealth level.
Teach those bustards a lesson.

Most Russian oligarchs are wealthy because they stole state assets.   Is it really "their" money?

[alyosha]

Most Russian oligarchs are wealthy because they stole state assets.   Is it really "their" money?

I was told the same thing happend in Mexico when it  sold off state assets in the 1980's.  The number of billionaires in Mexico went from 3 to 24 in a little over two years.
In your country I recall there was an economic theoretician who proposed a sudden change to capitalism by "shock therapy."
One thing that did was allow Communist Party insiders to arrange profitable deals for themselves and their friends.  The deals were financed by New York banks and Russian state assets worth tens of billions were sold off through the buddy system to people who barrowed hundreds of millions from the New York banks.
In future I would advise any country switching from a planned state economy to capitalism to sell it's infrastructure off gradually.  That way the people could gradually understand the dirty deals that were going on before it was too late.

In English the people have two words, greed and envy.  Both words have negative connotations.  We must always fight greed and envy.

[SANDRO43]

In America we called the capitalist of the late XIX C "Rober Barrons."

Wasn't that "Robber Barons"?

[Faux Pas]

I had wondered about the Russian government banning of street demonstrations.  It seemed possible it was just meant to avoid public situations that could get violent.
And violence can lead to revolution.
But since you are telling us political party signs are also banned at outdoor meetings it seems more likely to be an attempt to cement political power in the ruling party.
As to wealth being concentrated in a few Russian hands, we have had the same problem in the U.S. A. It began when confiscatory tax rates on the very wealthy were repealed in the mid 1980's.
After 1985 greed became rampant in America. 
There was a report this moring of an American couple who had a 2,000 square meter house worth $19,000,000.  The couple next door were relatively poor people whose house went into fore closure.  The rich couple bought the poor couples house at the bargain price of $4,000,000.  Then the truely rich couple tore the house down.  They had wanted to get rid of it as it deminished the view from their $19,000,000 house.

I would advise Russia to try to put in confiscatory tax rates for rich people who insist on spending vast wealth on themselves.
In America if you were subject to very high tax rates you could avoid paying the taxes by donating instead to a charity of your own choosing.
But as you say it will be difficult due to opposition from the extremely rich.  It will take a long time.

You're missing the boat. Basic freedoms Russians haven't yet quite become accustomed to are being systemically stripped away by the latest Putin regime. The greed of Putin and the ogliarchs are indeed an issue. The bigger issue is Putin's free range raping of the Russian constitution

[alyosha]

You're missing the boat. Basic freedoms Russians haven't yet quite become accustomed to are being systemically stripped away by the latest Putin regime. The greed of Putin and the ogliarchs are indeed an issue. The bigger issue is Putin's free range raping of the Russian constitution

I agree banning political signs at protest and, I am told, the state owned television supporting the government in power, is anti-freedom.

In the USA we are also getting into trouble in that Obama got the NDAA for 2012 passed with a clause allowing him to throw people into military brigs indefinitely without trail.
Then there is also the continuing use of federal troops on the streets, mainly just to get U.S. citizens used to the federal military doing civilian police patrols. 
People think they are trying to acclimate us to accept martial law and I think that's true.

[alyosha]

Wasn't that "Robber Barons"?

Thank you.  It seems it is too late to correct my mistake.

[chivo]

I would prefer a talk about babes but O.K., a few random thoughts.

Me too, but let me help you clarify somethings for the people (especially Americans) whom will never be convinced for what ever reason that Russia isn't as bad as what is normally reported by Western journalists.

For example I have a lot of more personal freedom in Russia than I experienced in USA where people have to live within elaborated law restrictions. This freedom may be not good for a society, I mention it as a matter of fact I saw.

I lived it too. I have much more freedom here as a foreigner than I did living in America. And, the perception that the Russian police/authorities are sitting around thinking of ways to arrest the next unsuspecting citizen on trumped up charges are way overplayed by: foreigners wild imaginations and the Western journalists unrelenting portrayal of Russia as the "bad" guy, not to mention the "sensational" type of reporting that dominates Western media sources...always
 
Russians are experiencing about as much freedom as they ever have in the last 100 years.

1. Actions of Putin I supported - reasonable economic policy, first of all. Mendy criticism has focused on street protests. To be honest I don't care much about protests in Moscow as it is pure local action which will have no major effect on real politics and people wellbeing.

My opinion is that Mendy's portrayal of the protests is completely one-sided. One example, he fails to report that their are different factions in these protests and the fact that all of these groups hate each other more than they despise Putin. He wants us to believe that (at least from what I get from his reporting) they're all in unison with each other in an attempt to expose the truth about the current administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

And while I agree with Boethius when she says don't underestimate the protests in Moscow, the fact remains that the "opposition" is not well organized, and no ONE true leader has emerged. Again, many of the opposition are opposed to each other. But, I do believe that having an vocal opposition is a must for a check and balance in some sort of way to enact some reform.

2. I experienced many good things during totalitarian FSU times, however you're interested in today's life. Present-day Russia looks totalitarian only in TV news abroad So it would be easier to find   benifits if more totalitarianism will come in Russia. I hope then the total ban on smoking will be imposed and enforced, for example.

Can't really address experiencing any totalitarian times (well except for living in a police state, that would be California  ). But, I 100% agree that Russia is very often misrepresented on TV news abroad. Not to mention newspapers and magazines. If anyone believes Russia is not misrepresented by the media, then could I please refer you all to law case #1 on the ledger; Pot v. Kettle.

3. I can live under a democracy or monarchy.  No objections against democratic principals, now we follow them though both sides try to break them all the time. Funny, what you see about Russia on TV  I see the same things here about USA. Though judicial system in USA seems to be much more effective and certainly harder in cracking down the unrests.

Be careful, you don't want to spoil the American "exceptionalism". Repeat after me..."America good, Russia bad".
 
And all the while Americans have had their personal freedoms slowly taken away over the years.

4. I confess I failed to become  a communist during FSU times (was too young). However I could  if I  find it beneficial for my career. Even though I could be a communist of convenience  I see too many flaws in communist ideology to share it. I like old good capitalism of XIX c. in USA but probably I'm a hopeless romantic

Well, I doubt you would have wanted to deal with the Soviet Union during Stalin's time. I also doubt any other time was the most ideal situation, but for a select few, it might have been quite good.
 
As far as the capitalism of the 19th century, call me a romantic too. 

[chivo]

 Several arrests have taken place across Russia in recent weeks of groups of 10 people or more just going to a movie or out to dinner as a result of the new anti-protest law.                     

Could you please provide links to these arrests? Russian or English is fine. Thanks

[calmissile]

Great George Carlin movie clip.  I never cared for him because of his language, but he certainly has a grasp of the big picture of Amerian politics.  LOL

[JayH]

Most Russian oligarchs are wealthy because they stole state assets.   Is it really "their" money?

Most? or all?  I agree regardless.

[Belvis]

As you likely know I had the opportunity to converse with Sobchak recently. ... I was impressed by the depth of her political savvy and intelligence. ...
My friend Alyona Popova is not ready today to assume her goal of Prime Minister, but she is intelligent ...                     

Mendy, definitely you like the pretty russian intelligent blondes 
I assume your wife belongs to them too 

[alyosha]

Be careful, you don't want to spoil the American "exceptionalism". Repeat after me..."America good, Russia bad".
 
And all the while Americans have had their personal freedoms slowly taken away over the years.

 
They recently passed a law saying Americans can be thrown in jail indefinitely without a trial.
To Americans reading this I recommend youtube "Southernprepper1" and his video "Freedom is Burning In My Soul."

[Gylden]

" One way to make sure crime doesn't pay would be to let the government run it." 
Ronald Reagan
 

[mendeleyev]

My opinion is that Mendy's portrayal of the protests is completely one-sided. One example, he fails to report that their are different factions in these protests and the fact that all of these groups hate each other more than they despise Putin. He wants us to believe that (at least from what I get from his reporting) they're all in unison with each other in an attempt to expose the truth about the current administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Chivo, have you ever in your wildest imagination 10,000 or 5,000 or 50,000 people gather for a common cause and thought that other than the single reason they came out on a particular day that they really love each other and hold all things in common?! Good Lord, I believe readers are smart enough to know the difference.

You love to come behind and dispute anything and everything but I've noticed that you rarely if ever contribute anything original. And don't feed us BS about you not having time and it's not your place. If you have time to troll my comments, then you have the time. Try it sometime.

[Faux Pas]

Chivo, have you ever in your wildest imagination 10,000 or 5,000 or 50,000 people gather for a common cause and thought that other than the single reason they came out on a particular day that they really love each other and hold all things in common?! Good Lord, I believe readers are smart enough to know the difference.

You love to come behind and dispute anything and everything but I've noticed that you rarely if ever contribute anything original. And don't feed us BS about you not having time and it's not your place. If you have time to troll my comments, then you have the time. Try it sometime.

+1

[mendeleyev]

Could you please provide links to these arrests? Russian or English is fine. Thanks

It is amazing that you, like other illegal aliens in Russia, never pay attention to Russian media. I'd suggest that you listen once in a while to Echo Moscow Radio. When callers go on air to tell of their personal experiences and those calls come from a variety of places and various periods of time, I'm not going to call them liars.

Do you believe that Stanislav Belkovsky, Ilya Yashin or Alena Popova are lying by telling me of these instances?

Now before you go and try to explain away Echo Moscow by saying they're just the mouthpiece of the opposition, allow me to remind you that Echo Moscow is owned by Gazprom Media. That is Gazprom as in the Kremlin controlled Oil and Communications empire. http://www.gazprom-media.com/en/radio.xml?&company_id=50

Me too, but let me help you clarify somethings for the people (especially Americans) whom will never be convinced for what ever reason that Russia isn't as bad as what is normally reported by Western journalists.

There are more native Russian journalists 'stringing' for Western news agencies than accredited foreign journalists in Russia. So are we to read that you believe these Russian journalists are feeding reports to Western media that are lies or slanting their reports. They're too consistent in Western media to have been "doctored" or changed by individual editors.

[chivo]

Chivo, have you ever in your wildest imagination 10,000 or 5,000 or 50,000 people gather for a common cause and thought that other than the single reason they came out on a particular day that they really love each other and hold all things in common?! Good Lord, I believe readers are smart enough to know the difference.

From their responses I don't agree. And no readers don't know what is ACTUALLY happening here. Your reporting is incredibly one sided in my opinion when it comes to Russia.
 
Let me ask you, how much time do you actually spend in Moscow?

You love to come behind and dispute anything and everything but I've noticed that you rarely if ever contribute anything original. And don't feed us BS about you not having time and it's not your place. If you have time to troll my comments, then you have the time. Try it sometime.

Just trying to check and balance your one sided BS, that's all. I thought you were all about checks and balances. I guess only when it concerns others. I dispute what I feel needs to be disputed. This is a forum. And no I'm not just trolling your posts, I dispute others. Believe me I could dispute much more, so no, I don't even come close to trolling up your ass.

One comment I read from you was they had 70,000 police waiting for the last protests. Really, where do you get this stuff? And that picture of the child on a bike was another example of how you sensationalize things as if is was something out of Tienanmen Square. Cut me a break

Yes and the old "you never contribute anything new line", very fresh.

Your posts about the history of cities is commendable, but your reporting on whats is happening here is not. Sorry, if I don't buy all the crap you post. I happen to live here, and personally think half of what you post about the protests and events related to it is second hand crap.