Posted: 9/4/2011 6:50:45 AM EDT
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So as many of you know, I'm living in Saint Petersburg, Russia now and there is something that I've noticed...the people here seem to have many more freedoms than back home. Hell, I sometimes feel like Ihave more freedoms than I do back home. The idea of a "nanny state" just doesn't really exist. The Russians have embraced capitalism and personal freedom in almost every aspect of life, and they're doing it right. If things in Russia and the U.S., continue to head in their respective directions, will there be a time in the future when there is a "reverse" Cold War (USA is what the USSR was and Russia is beacon of freedom)
Admittedly, I've been speaking with people in Russia's arguably nicest city, but I've really been surprised by how happy and free they all seem to be. BubbaHickSisterFucker from Kentucky's tirades about Russia being evil and 3rd world and everyone here hates America are the epitome of bullshit. This place is clean, friendly, gorgeous, and the locals love talking to me and hearing what I have to say....I've also met some people who live near me who are from Finland and Germany who echo many of the Russian sentiments but for their respective countries. These people are happy, they live life to the fullest, and they're super friendly. Discuss. |
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Pictures of hot Russian chicks? I could just walk down Nevsky Prospect and and take non stop pictures. They're EVERYWHERE. Women here take really good care of themselves and they always dress their best. Russia couldn't have a "people of Walmart" kind of website. I've yet to see a morbidly obese or really disgusting person and I've been here 8 days so far. I could see 8 of those a days back home. Even the poorer people try to look nice and maintain a good image...and I've even been using public transportation. |
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Quoted: So as many of you know, I'm living in Saint Petersburg, Russia now and there is something that I've noticed...the people here seem to have many more freedoms than back home. Hell, I sometimes feel like Ihave more freedoms than I do back home. The idea of a "nanny state" just doesn't really exist. The Russians have embraced capitalism and personal freedom in almost every aspect of life, and they're doing it right. If things in Russia and the U.S., continue to head in their respective directions, will there be a time in the future when there is a "reverse" Cold War (USA is what the USSR was and Russia is beacon of freedom) Admittedly, I've been speaking with people in Russia's arguably nicest city, but I've really been surprised by how happy and free they all seem to be. BubbaHickSisterFucker from Kentucky's tirades about Russia being evil and 3rd world and everyone here hates America are the epitome of bullshit. This place is clean, friendly, gorgeous, and the locals love talking to me and hearing what I have to say....I've also met some people who live near me who are from Finland and Germany who echo many of the Russian sentiments but for their respective countries. These people are happy, they live life to the fullest, and they're super friendly. Discuss. Didn't Putin arbitrarily arrest some oil tycoons a few years back without trial? |
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well, until Putin is installed as Czar.. Would Putin being a Tsar be such a bad thing? He has completely turned Russia around from where it was in the 90s and is making it a prominent economic and political power. He gets things done Considering that Russia has replaced the hammer and sickle with the Romanov eagle and has re-introduced some of the honorary awards and orders of Tsarist times, maybe that idea isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. I think, however, if there were to be a restoration of a Tsar, it would be some member of the Romanov family in order to establish legitimacy. |
Russia has no free elections and one of the highest journalist murder rates in the world. http://www.heritage.org/index/country/russia Russia’s economic freedom score is 50.5, making its economy the 143rd freest in the 2011 Index. Its score is 0.2 point better than last year, reflecting minor improvements in four of the 10 economic freedoms. Russia is ranked 41st out of 43 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score is below the world and regional averages.
Economic freedom is severely challenged in Russia. While strong returns from hydrocarbons have buoyed its economy, prospects for sustained long-term diversification and growth remain dim. An increasingly statist approach to economic management adds to the cost of investment and mutes private-sector dynamism. Pervasive corruption and limited respect for property rights hinder the development of economic activity that is free from government control or influence. Macroeconomic instability is a drag on economic growth. http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html Russia #140 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index Russia #107 |
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I don't think its just Russia.
The myth of America being so much more free is exactly that in my opinion. I am not saying we are much worse, just that the gap most Americans think there is isn't there. Our government is fairly oppressive as well, its just that no one believes it until it happens to them. Guns are the exception. We are without a doubt, the freest semi normal country in the world when it comes to guns. If you're a gun nut, this is the place for you. If you don't care about guns, then you might be as happy or more elsewhere. |
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I don't think its just Russia. The myth of America being so much more free is exactly that in my opinion. I am not saying we are much worse, just that the gap most Americans think there is isn't there. Our government is fairly oppressive as well, its just that no one believes it until it happens to them. Guns are the exception. We are without a doubt, the freest semi normal country in the world when it comes to guns. If you're a gun nut, this is the place for you. If you don't care about guns, then you might be as happy or more elsewhere. The difference between Anglo-countries and northern Europe, and the rest of the world is massive when it comes to economic and personal freedom. To say otherwise is laughable. |
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How are things different over there compared to here? Say, Taxes, guns, jobs, etc. Could you give us some comparisons? Taxes: Everyone hates taxes and the Russians are not an exception and they do whine about them. There is a flat 13% income tax and an excise tax on hot prepared meals (I bought a pizza earlier for 380 rubles and paid 29 rubles in tax). There are some other taxes as well but I'm not quite clear on the dynamics of them yet. Construction and engineering is in insatiable demand here in Saint Pete's. Tower cranes are EVERYWHERE and massive road projects are underway. Right outside my window there is a huge public water supply project going on. They're replacing the pipes. The pipes are impressive; about 4 feet in diameter. So jobs are out there. The mall is always packed and people are buying things. Really nice cars (Porsche, Audi, BMW, Hummer, etc) all over the place. Saint Petersburg is definitely booming. Say what you will about journalistic freedom but there are some pretty damn scathing opinions in the Saint Petersburg Times about Russian relations with Georgia, etc. |
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So as many of you know, I'm living in Saint Petersburg, Russia now and there is something that I've noticed...the people here seem to have many more freedoms than back home. Hell, I sometimes feel like Ihave more freedoms than I do back home. The idea of a "nanny state" just doesn't really exist. The Russians have embraced capitalism and personal freedom in almost every aspect of life, and they're doing it right. If things in Russia and the U.S., continue to head in their respective directions, will there be a time in the future when there is a "reverse" Cold War (USA is what the USSR was and Russia is beacon of freedom) Admittedly, I've been speaking with people in Russia's arguably nicest city, but I've really been surprised by how happy and free they all seem to be. BubbaHickSisterFucker from Kentucky's tirades about Russia being evil and 3rd world and everyone here hates America are the epitome of bullshit. This place is clean, friendly, gorgeous, and the locals love talking to me and hearing what I have to say....I've also met some people who live near me who are from Finland and Germany who echo many of the Russian sentiments but for their respective countries. These people are happy, they live life to the fullest, and they're super friendly. Discuss. Didn't Putin arbitrarily arrest some oil tycoons a few years back without trial? Didn't the United States Department of Justice just recently raid Gibson guitars and seize their property with no explanation, justification, or willingness to look at sworn statements from exporters/importers saying that everything is legal? ETA: The arrest in early July 2003 of Platon Lebedev, a Mikhail Khodorkovsky partner and second largest shareholder in Yukos, on suspicion of illegally acquiring a stake in a state-owned fertilizer firm, Apatit, in 1994, foreshadowed what by the end of the year became a full-fledged prosecution of Yukos and its management for fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion
One of the most controversial aspects of Putin's second term was the continuation of the criminal prosecution of Russia's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, President of YUKOS, for fraud and tax evasion. While much of the international press saw this as a reaction against Khodorkovsky's funding for political opponents of the Kremlin, both liberal and communist, the Russian government had argued that Khodorkovsky was engaged in corrupting a large segment of the Duma to prevent changes in the tax code aimed at taxing windfall profits and closing offshore tax evasion vehicles. Khodorkovsky's arrest was met positively by the Russian public, who see the oligarchs as thieves who were unjustly enriched and robbed the country of its natural wealth.[69] Many of the initial privatizations, including that of Yukos, are widely believed to have been fraudulent– Yukos, valued at some $30 billion in 2004, had been privatized for $110 million– and like other oligarchic groups, the Yukos-Menatep name has been frequently tarred with accusations of links to criminal organizations. Tim Osborne of GML, the majority owner of Yukos, said in February 2008: "Despite claims by President Vladimir Putin that the Kremlin had no interest in bankrupting Yukos, the company's assets were auctioned at below-market value. In addition, new debts suddenly emerged out of nowhere, preventing the company from surviving. The main beneficiary of these tactics was Rosneft. The Yukos affair marked a turning point in Russia's commitment to domestic property rights and the rule of law."[70] The fate of Yukos was seen by western media as a sign of a broader shift toward a system normally described as state capitalism,[71][72] Against the backdrop of the Yukos saga, questions were raised about the actual destination of $13.1 billion[73] remitted in October 2005 by the state-run Gazprom as payment for 75.7% stake in Sibneft to Millhouse-controlled offshore accounts,[74] after a series of generous dividend payouts and another $3 billion received from Yukos in a failed merger in 2003.[75] In 1996, Roman Abramovich and Boris Berezovsky had acquired the controlling interest in Sibneft for $100 million within the controversial loans-for-shares program.[76] Some prominent Yeltsin-era businessmen, such as Sergey Pugachyov, are reported to continue to enjoy close relationship with Putin's Kremlin.[77]]
Most Russian I talk to pretty much despise the guy for being a criminal thief |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: So as many of you know, I'm living in Saint Petersburg, Russia now and there is something that I've noticed...the people here seem to have many more freedoms than back home. Hell, I sometimes feel like Ihave more freedoms than I do back home. The idea of a "nanny state" just doesn't really exist. The Russians have embraced capitalism and personal freedom in almost every aspect of life, and they're doing it right. If things in Russia and the U.S., continue to head in their respective directions, will there be a time in the future when there is a "reverse" Cold War (USA is what the USSR was and Russia is beacon of freedom) Admittedly, I've been speaking with people in Russia's arguably nicest city, but I've really been surprised by how happy and free they all seem to be. BubbaHickSisterFucker from Kentucky's tirades about Russia being evil and 3rd world and everyone here hates America are the epitome of bullshit. This place is clean, friendly, gorgeous, and the locals love talking to me and hearing what I have to say....I've also met some people who live near me who are from Finland and Germany who echo many of the Russian sentiments but for their respective countries. These people are happy, they live life to the fullest, and they're super friendly. Discuss. Didn't Putin arbitrarily arrest some oil tycoons a few years back without trial? Didn't the United States Department of Justice just recently raid Gibson guitars and seize their property with no explanation, justification, or willingness to look at sworn statements from exporters/importers saying that everything is legal? ETA: The arrest in early July 2003 of Platon Lebedev, a Mikhail Khodorkovsky partner and second largest shareholder in Yukos, on suspicion of illegally acquiring a stake in a state-owned fertilizer firm, Apatit, in 1994, foreshadowed what by the end of the year became a full-fledged prosecution of Yukos and its management for fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion [quoteOne of the most controversial aspects of Putin's second term was the continuation of the criminal prosecution of Russia's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, President of YUKOS, for fraud and tax evasion. While much of the international press saw this as a reaction against Khodorkovsky's funding for political opponents of the Kremlin, both liberal and communist, the Russian government had argued that Khodorkovsky was engaged in corrupting a large segment of the Duma to prevent changes in the tax code aimed at taxing windfall profits and closing offshore tax evasion vehicles. Khodorkovsky's arrest was met positively by the Russian public, who see the oligarchs as thieves who were unjustly enriched and robbed the country of its natural wealth.[69] Many of the initial privatizations, including that of Yukos, are widely believed to have been fraudulent– Yukos, valued at some $30 billion in 2004, had been privatized for $110 million– and like other oligarchic groups, the Yukos-Menatep name has been frequently tarred with accusations of links to criminal organizations. Tim Osborne of GML, the majority owner of Yukos, said in February 2008: "Despite claims by President Vladimir Putin that the Kremlin had no interest in bankrupting Yukos, the company's assets were auctioned at below-market value. In addition, new debts suddenly emerged out of nowhere, preventing the company from surviving. The main beneficiary of these tactics was Rosneft. The Yukos affair marked a turning point in Russia's commitment to domestic property rights and the rule of law."[70] The fate of Yukos was seen by western media as a sign of a broader shift toward a system normally described as state capitalism,[71][72] Against the backdrop of the Yukos saga, questions were raised about the actual destination of $13.1 billion[73] remitted in October 2005 by the state-run Gazprom as payment for 75.7% stake in Sibneft to Millhouse-controlled offshore accounts,[74] after a series of generous dividend payouts and another $3 billion received from Yukos in a failed merger in 2003.[75] In 1996, Roman Abramovich and Boris Berezovsky had acquired the controlling interest in Sibneft for $100 million within the controversial loans-for-shares program.[76] Some prominent Yeltsin-era businessmen, such as Sergey Pugachyov, are reported to continue to enjoy close relationship with Putin's Kremlin.[77]] [/quote] I don't really care about Russia's freedoms, because I love my country, BUT I would like to point out that "you did it too" isn't a valid response in an argument. |
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So as many of you know, I'm living in Saint Petersburg, Russia now and there is something that I've noticed...the people here seem to have many more freedoms than back home. Hell, I sometimes feel like Ihave more freedoms than I do back home. The idea of a "nanny state" just doesn't really exist. The Russians have embraced capitalism and personal freedom in almost every aspect of life, and they're doing it right. If things in Russia and the U.S., continue to head in their respective directions, will there be a time in the future when there is a "reverse" Cold War (USA is what the USSR was and Russia is beacon of freedom) Admittedly, I've been speaking with people in Russia's arguably nicest city, but I've really been surprised by how happy and free they all seem to be. BubbaHickSisterFucker from Kentucky's tirades about Russia being evil and 3rd world and everyone here hates America are the epitome of bullshit. This place is clean, friendly, gorgeous, and the locals love talking to me and hearing what I have to say....I've also met some people who live near me who are from Finland and Germany who echo many of the Russian sentiments but for their respective countries. These people are happy, they live life to the fullest, and they're super friendly. Discuss. Didn't Putin arbitrarily arrest some oil tycoons a few years back without trial? Didn't the United States Department of Justice just recently raid Gibson guitars and seize their property with no explanation, justification, or willingness to look at sworn statements from exporters/importers saying that everything is legal? ETA: The arrest in early July 2003 of Platon Lebedev, a Mikhail Khodorkovsky partner and second largest shareholder in Yukos, on suspicion of illegally acquiring a stake in a state-owned fertilizer firm, Apatit, in 1994, foreshadowed what by the end of the year became a full-fledged prosecution of Yukos and its management for fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion
[quoteOne of the most controversial aspects of Putin's second term was the continuation of the criminal prosecution of Russia's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, President of YUKOS, for fraud and tax evasion. While much of the international press saw this as a reaction against Khodorkovsky's funding for political opponents of the Kremlin, both liberal and communist, the Russian government had argued that Khodorkovsky was engaged in corrupting a large segment of the Duma to prevent changes in the tax code aimed at taxing windfall profits and closing offshore tax evasion vehicles. Khodorkovsky's arrest was met positively by the Russian public, who see the oligarchs as thieves who were unjustly enriched and robbed the country of its natural wealth.[69] Many of the initial privatizations, including that of Yukos, are widely believed to have been fraudulent– Yukos, valued at some $30 billion in 2004, had been privatized for $110 million– and like other oligarchic groups, the Yukos-Menatep name has been frequently tarred with accusations of links to criminal organizations. Tim Osborne of GML, the majority owner of Yukos, said in February 2008: "Despite claims by President Vladimir Putin that the Kremlin had no interest in bankrupting Yukos, the company's assets were auctioned at below-market value. In addition, new debts suddenly emerged out of nowhere, preventing the company from surviving. The main beneficiary of these tactics was Rosneft. The Yukos affair marked a turning point in Russia's commitment to domestic property rights and the rule of law."[70] The fate of Yukos was seen by western media as a sign of a broader shift toward a system normally described as state capitalism,[71][72] Against the backdrop of the Yukos saga, questions were raised about the actual destination of $13.1 billion[73] remitted in October 2005 by the state-run Gazprom as payment for 75.7% stake in Sibneft to Millhouse-controlled offshore accounts,[74] after a series of generous dividend payouts and another $3 billion received from Yukos in a failed merger in 2003.[75] In 1996, Roman Abramovich and Boris Berezovsky had acquired the controlling interest in Sibneft for $100 million within the controversial loans-for-shares program.[76] Some prominent Yeltsin-era businessmen, such as Sergey Pugachyov, are reported to continue to enjoy close relationship with Putin's Kremlin.[77]] I don't really care about Russia's freedoms, because I love my country, BUT I would like to point out that "you did it too" isn't a valid response in an argument. [/quote] Who's arguing? My response is just a neutralizer; arbitrary government action is something that both nations deal with and therefore would be a "-" for the freedom columns for both countries and thus irrelevant. It's like saying "The M4 sucks because it's 5.56mm, but the XM-177 is amazing" |
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Anyone else notice that the OP hasn't addressed the issue of gun rights?  Sure did notice. Haven't been here long enough to know the ins and out of it. But I'll loosely state at this point that yes, you can own a gun here. Prove that you're competent with a shotgun for 5 years and then you can buy rifles/carbines. It's not an issue that I've discussed with any of the natives yet though According to Russia's gun laws, Russian citizens can buy smoothbore shotguns, such as, for example Saiga 12, gas pistols, or revolvers shooting rubber bullets. Safe use of one of the above weapons for five years allows purchase of a rifle or carbine.
In Moscow alone, some 400,000 people legally keep 470,000 weapons |
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Quoted:  You're fucking kidding, right?  The mere notion is so ludicrous, that I cannot even believe that someone would try to claim that. The OP hasn't thought it through... Perhaps he's just run across some cultural aspects that are more suppressed in our more 'moral' society and thought: "That's pretty cool!" |
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Construction and engineering is in insatiable demand here in Saint Pete's. Tower cranes are EVERYWHERE and massive road projects are underway. Right outside my window there is a huge public water supply project going on. They're replacing the pipes. The pipes are impressive; about 4 feet in diameter. So jobs are out there. The mall is always packed and people are buying things. Really nice cars (Porsche, Audi, BMW, Hummer, etc) all over the place. Saint Petersburg is definitely booming. . Kinda like those shovel-ready jobs Obama promises................paid for by the people, to keep the people working. a-bare |
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Quoted: Quoted: Construction and engineering is in insatiable demand here in Saint Pete's. Tower cranes are EVERYWHERE and massive road projects are underway. Right outside my window there is a huge public water supply project going on. They're replacing the pipes. The pipes are impressive; about 4 feet in diameter. So jobs are out there. The mall is always packed and people are buying things. Really nice cars (Porsche, Audi, BMW, Hummer, etc) all over the place. Saint Petersburg is definitely booming. . Kinda like those shovel-ready jobs Obama promises................paid for by the people, to keep the people working. a-bare Actually, it's just like in China, where there also a massive demand for construction. Except in China, its all state funded, and no one lives there. They are just creating jobs out of thin air to artificially inflate their economy. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/165410/20110619/china-ghost-towns-satellite-images-chenggong.htm Just because things are busy, and people 'seem' free, doesn't mean it is a reality. German residents were 'forced' to smile when near Hitler while he was being videotaped or photographed so that his people always appeared to be happy with him. |
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You're fucking kidding, right?
The mere notion is so ludicrous, that I cannot even believe that someone would try to claim that. The OP hasn't thought it through... Perhaps he's just run across some cultural aspects that are more suppressed in our more 'moral' society and thought: "That's pretty cool!" But, but, he's been there for 8 whole days! 
Fuck, I spent 8 days in Bulgaria, 2 months in Germany, 6 months in Kosovo, and a whole year in Iraq, so i must be an expert on all those places. Fuck me I'm retiring and writing travel guides from now on. $$$$$$$$
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Dear leaders chains are starting to chaffe.... Evey day there is a new regulation that will cost me money or time or both. You couldn't pay me to start a new business in America today. It isn't just Obama however it has ramped up under him. The discouraging thing is that our Republican candidates mention regulations as a problem but I have no faith that any one of them will actually step up and reverse the flow. They may slow it down a little but I doubt they get rid of many. |