[nerfhammer]

it's a distinct system in which they have to give a substantial share of their take to the supreme leader, and that leader sort of dictates the lines of their territory and doesn't allow them to engage in politics, and all of this exists completely outside the legal system

[throwaway111023]

nothing like lobbyists donating large sums of money to political candidates on behalf of the elite, hey! it's legal!.

[signatoremo]

Err, donating large sums of money to politicians, government officers are prevalent in Russia. Where do you think Putin’s wealth come from? You can track lobby money in the US. Can you do that in Russia?

[throwaway111023]

what difference does it make being able to track lobby money in the US?