I am not a Putin apologist or a Yanukovich supporter. I have been paying attention to this mess because this coming spring I plan on marrying a young Ukrainian woman (who, incidentally, is a Yanukovich supporter --yes, they do exist!)
That being said, it is important for us to reflect on the fact that democracy is still a very young concept in the former Soviet Union. They've had it for what, only 14 years?
It can be said that it took us well over 500 years from the Magna Carta to the Constitutional Convention to come up with a working system. A system that while not perfect has been about a close as one can get and has functioned well for over 200 years.
The Russians and Ukrainians will get there. It takes time (hopefully not 500 years).
i pray for that to happen. i find it very interesting to note that a huge difference between the US and ukrainian elections is the electoral college. the democrats have to defraud several states, while in ukraine it only has to happen in one town since they have a popular vote.
here's to hoping that ukraine and other countries can develop a fairer system and that ours will survive the test of time.