[A. Pole]

If only Putin hadn't gone totalitarian, I would have considered expatriating to Russia

Putin is not totalitarian. He is really very popular, partially because he allowed prosecution of same "reform minded oligarchs" - ie mafia related big crooks and primarily because he is a very hard working leader who tries to fix economy.

[Outsourcing=Competition]

Putin's a totalitarian ruler who has crushed dissident political parties. Don't forget he's a former KGB goon who probably misses the days back in the ole' USSR when one man called the shots.