World Crises Reveals Russia's True Colors

The world economic woes that are being felt from London to Wall Street to Tokyo are finally showing the major faults of Putin's Russia. The Oligarchs who control numerous companies that produce oil, metals, and other raw materials are going bankrupt, selling large shares of companies and begging the Kremlin for money to keep afloat. And while the billionaires try to keep ahead of the creditors, the fall of oil prices has halted Russia's growth and many believe they are headed towards a recession. High oil prices, which created years of growth in the Russian economy, have deteriorated and threaten to undo the stability created under Putin. Higher prices created jobs and allowed for a consumer culture to develop in Russia making Putin a popular leader, but as the economy slumps and unemployment increases the people are becoming unhappy with their government. Yet, the government is still taking draconian measures by suppressing protest and by keeping the people ignorant of world problems through control of television and the press.