Posted on 02/04/2018 11:22:58 AM PST by GoldenState_Rose
“There is no political opposition in Russia. Parties like the Liberal Democratic Party and the Communist Party are, in effect, sub-departments of United Russia, the ruling party.
There is only one power vertical and everyone in politics is in it: some as a back-up plan, just in case, some because they expect preferential treatment. I don’t call myself an opposition. I am just a person of common sense. No one appointed me to my post, I was chosen by the majority in competitive elections.
That is why I have more scope to act than government-backed officials. But where I can’t bring change, I can share my opinion and not take part in what I oppose. There are many who think what I think, but don’t dare to speak out. I know what I’m risking.“
"These are not elections... The only unknown is the turnout. If there is a low turnout, the victory will feel incomplete. The Kremlin has to convince itself, the electorate and the outside world that this is a government chosen voluntarily by a large majority.
This is why all its resources — including the media and the candidates — have been given only one assignment: to increase the turnout."
Society is not ready for change. Conditions in the country are worsening, but only gradually. All hope lies with the youth. They are more free, less scared and less zombied out. They don’t watch television, they get their news online and many speak foreign languages. I am waiting for the moment when I can be useful and tune in.
The country is visibly changing. But for now the situation will only get worse, politically and economically. These are times which have to be sat out and survived. Then again, this is Russia we’re speaking about.
(Excerpt) Read more at themoscowtimes.com ...
Wake up, be grateful Donald Trump managed to win, because in Russia and in most countries of the world, the system is even MORE corrupt and situation way worse. The conditions for a Russian Trump-type figure to come in and drain *their* swamp are far less likely. At least for now.
Same here in America.
Yes, but at least we still had some semblance of a legal system at work and an electoral college, a Constitution which sets clear term limits, etc...Trump is president after all, and only getting stronger because of all the corruption he’s exposed.
In Russia, even a peaceful protest can get you arrested or clubbed in the head, pepper sprayed, fired from your job, etc...A wrong “Like” on a Facebook post also.
No joke.
There’s Pavel Grudinin, the Communists Trump like populist. He turned a Soviet era state farm into a multi-million dollar business selling to upscale markets.
He would like to turn Russia into a better China. Likev Xi, he against corruption and abuse of the people in the elite’s interests.
Of course Putin will win with more than 70% of the vote in the first round next month but its already the beginning of the post-Putin era in Russia.
Please do not compare low-lives who make bank within the most corrupt of auspices to an honorable and decent American leader such as Trump.
“I think Russian people should live better than the people we defeated in the war,” - Pavel Grudinin
I *loathe* absolutely LOATHE quotes like that. I know the spirit it comes from after having lived there. And it's evil.
Today the atmosphere is so toxic if you even suggest Stalin was bad, or point out crimes of the Red Army, or try to dredge up mention of the Gulag unwittingly, you can be punched in the face on the spot. No joke.
There are people in Russia who want change.
It will come. People said Tsarism and Communism would be around forever.
My point is still a valid one. No elite has absolute control over the future.
In a post-Communist Russia, the only thing every one can agree on is the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in WW II.
Beyond the consensus on national patriotism, there are deep divisions over the country’s direction.
No one should be fooled into thinking Putin or United Russia have managed to entirely bridge them.
Roizman is a ‘former’ gangster who became a politician exploiting racist agenda at the time. Also known as ‘Rozik the Rat’ in former life and a member of infamous Yekaterinburg-based Uralmash mob. By the way Uralmash mob already was a source of talents for NWO before. Georgian dictator Saakashvili picked Roizman’s pal and another Uralmash mobster Kakha Bendukidze for his finance minister upon taking over Georgia for the first time.
One interesting fact. Roizman was first convicted in late 1970s and his crimes were dating women and then upon becoming a live-in BF to steal everything of value from their homes to disappear after to move to a next victim.
I find it rather symbolic. His political career is mainly around the same lines.
- Russia Without BS blog
As far as "divisions" over WWII, the Kremlin either made the division worse, or forced them into non-existence. As even people who may have initially been anti-Stalin have gone from viewing him as evil to "acceptable" and "necessary."
Thereby insulting and trampling on the memories of all the victims of mass atrocities that surpassed even the Holocaust in scale.
*Ping*
Roizman sounds like the late Boris Nemtsov but slightly worse.
I’m not surprised that people who came of age in the Soviet Union are inept at seeing any meaningful change through to reality. They’re haunted by the same Soviet demons as everyone else! But, at least some have the courage enough to stand up to the current regime and leave the door open for the next generation to forge a new vision for the country.
Navalny, Roizman — not the greatest of men but better than no voices at all.
BTW, Roizman is a grassroot crook who managed to climb into the mayors of a major city mostly by himself.
Navalny certainly doesn’t but I think his sponsors has learnt Roizman ascent well and sees him as a model for Navalny which they try to implement nationwide.
The only problem is that Russia as a whole is rather different from Yekaterinburg and also Roizman grew to prominence in earlier 2000s which was a totally different era.
Also Roizman is a good example why populist liberals shouldn’t be trusted power.
He was good at campaigning mostly thanks to loyal liberal medias but he sucks big time in running a city.
Years in power and nothing is getting done and he is still acting like he is campaigning. First he said nothing is done because there is a corruption in the city. Now, with him at helm things are much worse but the reason allegedly state and feds who ‘don’t let him do the job’.
Maybe he should think less about interviews and Navalny and focus on doing his job?
Everybody now sees Roizman for a fraud he is in Yekaterinburg including these liberal idiots who voted him in the first place.
Political reality for the Russians I know is they are happy with Putin, not with the McCain candidates you support.
It’s a lie.
People may not like the alternatives (including the “McCain” ones) - but they aren’t happy with Putin. Go there and really stay for awhile and you’ll see. Discontent is brewing even in the heartland outside Moscow/Saint Petersburg.
“” “” Discontent is brewing even in the heartland outside Moscow/Saint Petersburg.”” “”
The question is who heats it up. See Egypt and Lybia.
You said the problem for people are worsening economic conditions and then calls for new economic sanctions.
Now answer who are worsening economic conditions. Is it you calling for sanctions or Putin who aren’t?
Lol. Means election in Russia is more contentious than in California.
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