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Subject: Putin: traitor or patriot?
slowball    5/19/2005 1:28:12 PM
Do you think Putin has betrayed the Russian people and started a new totalitarian dictactorship, or does he have their long-term interests at heart? While I don't know Putin's motivations, I think he is generally taking the right course of action. The first priority should be stability and security, at any price. Free enterprise cannot develop in lawless nation and democracy cannot develop without free enterprise. As Russia's economy realigns and develops the country can slowly move toward greater free enterprise and democracy. I think it's foolish to think that a nation with no history of free enterprise, representative democracy, or respect for human rights can suddenly turn into a democratic, capitalist society overnight. It will be a long slow process. Your thoughts?
 
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Ace the 2nd    RE:Putin: traitor or patriot?   5/20/2005 10:38:37 AM
In the past, not many leaders that have justified their means with "long term Russian interests at heart" have worked out very well. Lennin is a good example of this. Without mush doubt he had the interests of the people and tha country in the long term at heart. He kept on saying that to him self, allowing decisions of the use of terror and tyarnecy to be made. Russia needs a leader that values social wellfare more than millitary integrity. A leader that sees the future of Russian global influence in trade and recourced rather then Nuclear threat and territorial integrity. A leader that is able to think radicaly in ecconomic reform, and who's pride, and feeling of natalgia when looking back at the super power days will not destrupt opportunities in trade and foreighn relations. Putin may be down to Earth in relation to Gorbachov, Sobre in relation Yeltsin, and liberal in relation to Stalin, but as a former KGB agent, he is still bound by the feeling of "the good old days" and the old Russian saying "we may go hungry, but at least we'll sleep safe at night".
 
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