Why would we trust Putin?
I can tell you why we don't: Communist or not, far too many people East of Greenland think wealth is acquired and not created. Therefore, other's wealth is their detriment. Simply stated, they believe in a zero-sum game. They may not believe in Communism, but they still hold the assumptions that made Communism seem attractive.
Belief in a zero-sum, finite wealth world could lead the to a US vs. Everyone war. Russia will not take our side.
1. implement flat 13% income tax
2. implement 24% corporate tax
3. implement 0% corporate tax for business less then 8 peoples
4. remove Sales tax
5. slash VAT tax
6. implement private property law
7. implement jury trial
8. implement Russian industry first rules, so incentive for factories to build in Russia if sell in Russia. So no outsourcing to China/India, etc.
9. implement privatized pension plane.
10. implement balanced budget, where surplus for last 4 years.
11. implement recession fund to help overcome recession and Duma forbidden to spend it.
12. Russia now have debt equal to 33% of GDP and falling. What US debt:earning ratio?
13. implement reorganization bureaocracy, actually cutting size government by 1/3rd.
Shall I go on? Your turn.