Putin puts forth plan to increase central control

Post #176,641 by JayMehaffey 9/27/04 11:06:32 PM Reply	Putin puts forth plan to increase central control [link\|http://www.iht.com/articles/540819.htm\|International Herald Tribune] President Vladimir Putin put his sweeping political overhaul in motion Monday, sending to Parliament a bill to change Russia's electoral system. The measure would abolish popular elections of regional governors. They instead would be nominated by the president and confirmed by local legislatures - a change that critics said would strengthen an authoritarian tendency in the Kremlin's policy. This move will vastly increase Putin's power. As I understand the proposal it would be the equivlent of letting the president pick state governors. Putin seems to be well on track to returning Russia to being a oligarchy, but a more captalistic one this time. Jay
Post #176,657 by Ashton 9/27/04 11:54:50 PM Reply	Oliphant had a Great cartoon of Shrub/Putin - which you can't access without a $membership. Vlad the impious on the tube; Shrub in tall hat off to side, watching 1) Vlad: We are threatended with terrorism, therefore I am forced to violate the Constitution, dispense with the popular vote.. Shrub: watches 2) Vlad: ..eliminate the system of checks and balances, and consolidate all power in the Executive branch. {points finger at Shrub} 3) Vlad: Is OK, da? Shrub: Terrific, Vladimir! You need to add one thing - PATRIOT ACT! 4) Vlad: A PATRIOT Act!! I Love It! is SO Soviet! Shrub: I knew you'd like it. {bird in corner}: You can do business with Mr. Putin
Post #177,445 by JayMehaffey 10/1/04 9:52:14 PM Reply	Putin adds plan to bring courts under his control [link\|http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=1ece37b1fc1d1d31\|Big News Network] Russian President Vladimir Putin is continuing to tighten his control on the nation by extending his control over judges, the Moscow Times said Friday. Democracy in Russia is fading fast. Under the new plan, Putin will have the ability to control who is appointed judge and who is removed from office. This will pretty much remove what independence the courts had, a major step in making Russia a dictatorship. Jay
Post #177,448 by Ashton 10/1/04 10:22:46 PM Reply	Unoriginal though - he's copying US

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