The mistake most freepers are making is seeing centralized power, and forgetting about all the other things involved in communism.
Besides other than being a control freak, Putin is a conservative. Look at his economic programs.
Then read about who is after him bigtime - the liberals. And they support the chechens.
Hard to understand how freepers are missing the boat and siding with the liberals, but I see it all day long.
Read the information and come back with intelligent dialogue based on the facts, all footnoted for your convenience...or just be a Communist tool...
The liberals didn't support Hitler, and they were right. Hitler was considered a "conservative" by his fellow countrymen. Throwing around these labels are meaningless as the terms have different meanings in different nations, eras, cultures, etc.
You admit Putin wants to centralize power and is a control freak but say he is not a communist because of his "conservative" economic programs. Hitler revitalized the Germany economy. No, Putin "may" not be a communist in your mind, but he is definitely a fascist and a would-be dictator and in my mind there is no redeeming difference.