[Jedi Master Pikachu]

California has a larger economy than Russia, with a smaller population and less natural resources (and not having a long, direct cultural history to draw a lot of tourists (though the movie industry draws a relatively large amounts) the way European countries do (France is the most popular tourist destination although it is much smaller than the United States)).

[Timedrifter]

What matters in the end is how the Russian people feel about Putin. After more than six years his popularity is resting near its all time high. The budget is in surplus and economic growth is over 6% for the fifth year running. We could only dream our president and Congress would have the fiscal restraint that has been shown by Putin. Considering the condition the country was in when he took office its no wonder his popularity is where it is. The anti-Putin brigade can crow all they wish but I believe Putin is one of only a few true statesmen in the word today. He will be the first Russian leader remembered fondly by his people in well over a century.