My point was that you are not as informed about American jurisprudence as you think you are. Watching Hollywood movies does not make you an expert in American economics or politics.
America is a republic, not a pure democracy. The American republic is composed of many separate entities that fight each other continuously. Our Founding Fathers did not want any popular faction to supress the basic rights of unpopular individuals.
The American republic has both separation of power [executive, legislative, and judicial branches] and division of power [federal, state, and local governments]. On top of that, the US Constitution does not allow certain inalienable rights to be taken away from unpopular citizens, even if the majority of Americans want those citizens put in jail.
It seems that Russia has little provisions to safeguards the rights of unpopular individuals and unpopular minorities.
If there are 10 crooked oligarchs in Russia, and only the one who speaks against Putin is charged with crimes, then Russian law enforcement is being involved in selective prosecution and political witch hunts.
Putin needs a viable political opposition; this constant struggle to keep his power will keep him honest and sharp, making it possible to be a great Russian leader.
It seems that these "oligarchs" were the only counterbalancing force against Putin.
Since you are in Russia, you probably know better than me Russian politics; therefore, I always read your comments about Russian developments and appreciate them.
On the other hand, when you seem to misrepresent American politics, you will be challenged. It's typical American dialogue.
Putin needs a viable political opposition; this constant struggle to keep his power will keep him honest and sharp, making it possible to be a great Russian leader.
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Putin has political opposition. It is Yubloko party, Communist Party (accually they are socialists but keep that name for votes of some people) and some small organizations.
His approval rate is sometinng near 70% (not 100) now even higher then it was 2 month ago (was near 55%).
It is clear answer of russian public on his crack on criminal rob barons. Those rob barons are russian mafia which everyone despises.
If you think that rob barons are opposition to him then thank god he can win over them. It is fight between mafia gained power during criminal privatization and legitimate power.
Only western liberal press as always doesn't understand nothing. Or just get paied from dirty money of russian rob barons.
I read plenty of US article on various news...US Prosecuter General practice selective prosecution all time. In example is Enron who US government not want to touch until public anger push it to prosecute. Then there various forgivencence for various criminals by presidents. These oligarchs care only for wealth and keeping what they get through theft and bribery of Yeltsin. Putin threaten them WITH LAW unlike free hand of NO LAW they get under Yeltsin...so fight they then.