...and all the Czars and Polit-Bureau had access to all of the very best of medicines, consumer goods and the various perks of office....just like our Congress Critters today.
Or at least they trusted their own lackeys, and believed it was the very best. Certainly better than what the serfs would be allowed. After watching various failures of equipment, protocols, and people in all areas of government, I wouldn't trust them to be the "elite" they're being paid to be.
At least Ottawa had effective police officers who were trusted with loaded weapons, and the skill to engage an armed enemy without having to phone some "trusted" presidential adviser to allow them to engage the enemy with lethal force.
However, I'm glad that White House guard dogs have more freedom to engage an intruder than the humans have. Maybe they should be augmented by poop-flinging monkeys. :)