Well it looks like the state of the Russian democracy has steadily decayed. The Duma and Duma-controlled local legislatures have placed their rubber stamps upon a constitutional amendment that would extend the presidential term from four to six years. This year, according to the Economist, may be Medvedev first and only term as president after which time Putin will re-assume the role of President. On Putin's Terms ~String
Draqon can't even express his own beliefs with a modicum of intelligence. All you get is, "The west is evil!" "Russia is free!" and "Oppress all gays!" from him. Loud, but not very convincing. ~String
Didn't we do a similar thing with Roosevelt in the 40s? But at any rate, try though I might, I can't figure out why it's so obviously bad or evil or ....whatever. And I think most of the "glorious" economics of Russia today could be directly attributed to Putin's presidency. Isn't that how we justified keep Roosevelt? Baron Max PS - did I spell "Roosevelt" correctly?? It just looks wrong!
Well I am one of the followers of constitution...but hey the constitution of Russia is extemely young and so is inexperienced, changing it at an early stage is a good thing to do.
And ... somehow, Putin is the bigger bogeyman ... (http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/021806.html) C`mon String.
Putin said (and it's funny that he'd be the one who'd have to respond to this and not Medvedev) that France and another country in Europe that I can't remember, have 6-year presidential terms, so in that sense Russia is not doing anything crazy. Now, Russia also has a 2-term limit, doesn't it? Anyway, I hope Medvedev gets more assertive in the next few years when he realizes that HE is in the reigns, and he's got the constitutional authority behind him. Maybe after 4 years of him people will forget all about Putin. Or maybe not.
Can somebody please explain to me why Russians appear to want a dictatorship? I would have expected them to have learned a lesson from Stalin etc. and the entire Communist era. But maybe they just prefer to go with what they know.
CNN/BBC is the holy grail, if CNN/BBC says "Russia is a dictatorship regime" than it must be so...no questions asked, no logic in mind...its just is like that, just like the Western media reported it.
I think there's little dispute that the US, for example, has a democracy. Presidents are elected for fixed terms by popular vote, as are Congressmen and Senators. Australia, where I live, also has a democracy. We elect a Federal government every 3 years or so, and half the senate every 3 years. We elect State governments every 4 years or so, and local governments too. All are popular elections - democratic. We also have great freedom of the press, as does the United States. Now compare Russia, where most media is now owned by the government, and where journalists who speak out against the government tend to be murdered. Also the place where one man essentially controls things. He has already had two terms of office as President, and now it is looking like he is gearing up for another twelve years as President. And when that 12 years is up, who knows what will happen. Maybe by that time the laws will have been changed to allow Putin life Presidency.
Cool thing about Putin is he looks the part. That man could walk unto a Hollywood set and audition for KGB thug boss with megalomanic ambitions in a stereotype-ridden second rate action flic, and be hired on the spot.
I was thinking just the opposite about Medvedev! "Where did they get this sycophantic-looking guy." Just by looking at him, you know who wears the pants in that relationship. ~String
But, James, what do you think about the fact, yes, FACT, that the majority of Russians like Putin? I mean, look at what the USA elected ...a damned liberal socialist half-breed who has little or no credentials for the job, and has no experience to speak of in government. What's wrong with Putin as the Russian leader? Baron Max
I think they can't see the danger. I think many of them are undereducated. The educated ones who dare are speaking out. And look who they elected for the past eight years - a damn conservative Christian half-breed who had little or no credentials for the job and no experience to speak of in government. And this is relevant... how, exactly, even if I were to agree with your silly claims? Read my previous post.
