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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Gorbachez Claims Russian Electoral System Needs Major Revamp

I've been complaining about our electoral system recently, and I firmly believe something needs to be done, but our problematic system pales in comparison to those of other countries- Russia, case in point. Even Mikhail Gorbachev (the last leader of the former U.S.S.R) has been critical of Vladimir Putin's recent political shenanigans:
"Something is wrong with our elections, and our electoral system needs a major adjustment."

This, in response to the Russian government's refusal to allow opposition candidate, former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, to be placed on the ballot for the upcoming March 2 presidential elections. They are claiming that 13% of more than 2 million signatures necessary to participate in the elections are invalid. You might recall that Kasyanov's campaign has been fraught with troubles including voter intimidation by Putin's side. Putin is hell-bent on making sure his hand-picked successor Dmitri Medvedev (first deputy prime minister) gets the post. Why? Because Medvedev will pick Putin as his P.M. and Putin, though he can't serve a 3rd term, can serve as P.M. and Putin does not , in any way, want to relinquish power. He might not be President but he will still be ruling the roost.

As flawed as our system is, at least most everyone has the chance to run for President, even odd-balls like Mike Gravel on the left, and Ron Paul on the right, and all the other bizarre assortment of candidates that wind up on our ballots in November. At least we live in a democracy where we can vote!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Historically Russians have had a long line of absolute power and rule over their society. It is in my opinion they've grown familiar and accustomed to the absence of such freedoms.

Frank Partisan said...

Stalinists killed off every opposition group that fought for democracy.

WomanHonorThyself said...

Youre so right Incog and it is so taken for granted!

Stylin said...

Hi
Yes,democracy is not prized as it should be !

MUD said...

Rudy and the breck girl have dropped out. Such a shame. Obama stopped by Kansas yesterday and many of us are thinking that Obama may pick Kathleen Sebelius as his VP if he gets the nomination. Interesting times. MUD

Incognito said...

JEREMY: You're right.. they've done lab experiments with rats, I think, that proves that exact point. sad.

REN: Guess they'll continue to do that. Very creepy.

WOMANHT: Yes it is, sadly.

FRASY: I guess we take those things for granted.

MUD: Yup... am brokenhearted, not about Breck boy..but there must be a reason. Interesting.. well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed about Obama.. cos I do NOT want Hillary running.

liberal white boy said...

Gosh Incog, I've been here 5 or 6 times in the past year but only with your last few posts did I finally figure out your religion. Silly me.

Incognito said...

LWB: Oh... my last few posts?... about politics?... you've got me stumped there... what does politics have to do with religion?
and you are more than likely wrong, in your assumptions.. but that's okay.

Blazingcatfur said...

Hi Incog, good post.

BTW It's Imprisoned Iranian Students Solidarity day, see this link.

http://tinyurl.com/3ctt2x

& the gatekeeper, here:

http://tinyurl.com/3xomfb

If you have a blog post on it. Thanx.

Ottavio (Otto) Marasco said...

Gorbachev is right... to have 13 million signatures count for nothing tells us that our (your and mine) electoral systems aren't so bad aye...

Pat Jenkins said...

amen sista incog... don't know what we've got till it's gone... but a scary thing is we have far too many in this country who would like to limit the power of the people so some can stay in office!!! so let us make a pledge... SAY NO TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFRORM!! he he!!

Incognito said...

BCF: Thanks buddy... did it.. (a little lax on my blogging responses)

AI: Indeed.. thank God we don't live there, or elswhere.

PJ: See.. I don't agree with ya there.. but I've made that known here.. :-) Everyone should be limited to the same amount of money.