During 90's Russia was no were in the map,Their econamy was in shamble and a ordinary Russian couldn't afford three meals a day.The corruption was at its peak.This was the state of Russia and the Russians before Mr.Putin came to power.

The 20'th century Russia is different.Their econamy is booming.People can afford things that they could not even dream of before a decade back.Today Russia and Russians are a force to be reconed with.They have lot more say in the world affairs.

All this because Mr. Putin

I truly envy Russia to have a leader such as Putin whose hands are free from corruption because where I am (India) corruption and unlawfullnes are our biggest concern.

There are only two sect of people who talk about damocracy in Russia one who are serving the western intrest who see Putin as a threat and the others are the Russians who have too much to drink

The Russians (more then others (Amaricans)) should think about their past before deciding who should lead them?

Madhavan, Chennai, India

To Avner Romm:
Hope this is published, or sent to you, as your comment is not to the article, but more to my comment.
It is a great pity that you think that innocent or merely suspected people are tortured by police worldwide. It is a great pity if it is still a practice in the South Africa. It is a great shame that it is happening in my home country, in Russia. I travel a lot - it is shocking to many in Europe and to many in the US.

Nikolay, St. Petersburg, Russia

Putin is doing what is right for Russia, and I admire him for that. Calling this "Fascism" only shows how "intelligent and intellectual" the one who writes so is. And I would like to know in what country people are no assulted (in practice, I am not talking about the legality) in prison or in custody. I wish Putin the best for Russia. I prefer Zhirinovsky, though, to become Russia's president-Best for Russia and best for civilization.

Avner Eliyahu Romm, Cape Town, South Africa

At least Puthin could have kept his plans to himself, he didn't need to go put himself on blast, it was obvious he was planning on retaining power, for him to do all that work, and just leave? I don't think so. He is staging mock elections to show the rest of the ignorant world, that Russia is "democratic" pssh yeah right. He speaks truth about The United States, we are the biggest expanisionists in the history of the world, while Russia expanded greatly after WW2 only to lose it all when they went bankrupt trying to outdo us. But with Puthin they have a chance of reganing their influence even if it is over small countries around the black sea, and caspian sea, ha ha, them and china do make a lethal one-two combo if things ever get rough with us and them, not to mention their alliance with Iran, sounds like WW3 already happening. That is coming from a US Marine with 3 tours of Iraq. Bush or shall I say his people screwed the US over, Putin may be a little better than Bush though.

ANT, wackbush, va

Some people on "Against Putin" site are clearly stating that they are FORCED to vote for Putin, under a threat of losing jobs or pay.
Their bosses at work are *organizing* the vote, as in good old times.
No wonder foreign observers were not welcome during these elections.

H.K. WI, US

H.K., WI,, USA

Oh my godness, this is why Russia is taking sooo long to become great a great nation. They just don't get it. It's the same crap that's been happening since the beginning of time. Leaders think the world can't live without them. Dumb, the most successful nations on earth are successful because they allow the great leaders to emerge and provide a new perspective. This is the only way Russia will wake up. It's not going to happen if the people don't have some vision.

TT, Halloway,

It seems to me that Putin is doing many correct things. He has made his country stronger in many ways, and introduced some stability after the shambles of rapid democratic reforms. Although personal freedoms has been curtailed, and opposition speakers have found themselves dead somehow, the people demand security and stability. Sometimes they do not care about the cost. It is sad. Putin and others have provided this security it seems. If Putin does step down and lets go of power, then that is good. He could always come back.

Also, laws are made to be respected and you cannot force leadership, or rapid change upon people without causing much grief. This is a sin every nation has committed much to our collective shame. Russia and the USA are not different from each other. We are all the same. However, democracy and functional governmental systems cannot exist without rule of law, and allowance for the oppositional voice.

Alan, Seattle, USA

Fascism is clearly becoming a reality in Russia. Tortures of suspects and witnesses in police departments became a nation-wide norm. Rate of imprisonment reached the levels of 1930s. People of different color or simply not resembling the Russian 'aryan' prototype, risk being murdered in the streets by the fanatic nationalist youngsters. Same youngsters burn 'improper' books in the streets. Word 'tolerance' has not been pronounced since late 90s. The only difference to Hitler, Putin so far does not have any expansion plans.
However, slogans that are being displayed all over the country, resemble very much Germany of the 1930s. The lastest slogans, whole building wall wide, that appeared in the streets today, state very ambitiously: 'Putin's Russia - United and Undefeatable'. Like as if we were in the state of war with someone. Latest slogan displays faces of 4 happpy men and 2 happy women - all white and very 'aryan', as if we did not have a 160 different other nationalities in Russia.

Nikolay, St. Petersburg, Russia

Putin is not nationalist enough! Russia for Slavs and perhaps a small number of other Europeans that will support Her. That would truly be a grand legacy and a positive development. Programs for strong identity for the youth (the exact opposite of the liberal/global marxist lies), incentives/aid for families to enable larger families, revival of ancient roots/spirituality. May the gods grant Putin wisdom and the will to guide Russia to Her rightful destiny.

David, usa,

There actually no 30 million because most people dont support putin and his united Russia
Democracy will be in Russia

AT, Petersburg,

I've looked (again) at "Protiv Putina" site and I could only wonder, how many people in Russia have access to the internet. People who'd love to express their opinion about Putin, but don't have computer at home or at work, leave alone money to rent or to buy food.
When you read opinions on that site, a lot of them has got nothing to do with "pro-Western," a-la Berezovsky style of "democracy," versus Putin's display of ostentatious nationalism; people just don't want to be treated like cattle any longer. They make their own judgment of situation in their country, based on realities of their daily lives, and in spite of few kooks here and there, ( how would you live without them,) overall the impression is such, that people in Russia are finally stating their free, independent opinions about Putin and "United Russia." This is a true beginning of "real politics," unlike in 90ies.
Kudos to people who created this site, in spite of the risk they are taking.

H.K., WI,, USA

Dear Times,

Better find somebody who could read Russian well and use Internet as well . Website zaputina.ru was founded in 2004, as a private political initiative.

Miha, Malden, USA

30,000,001

Mike Poulsen, Reading, Berkshire

All these games now staged by Putin and his spin doctors to ensure vicotry in the upcoming mock elections and the methods they are using to that end remind me the shell game at its finest. Putin's background as secret policeman helps him a lot to be a very professional shell game artist.

Max Sher, St.Petersburg, Russia