[jccalhoun]

There are a few things: it looks bad if McDonalds is still doing business with them. also, for a lot of people having big brands makes you seem more legitimate - 20 years ago or so the small town near me got a McDonalds and it was a huge deal that made people think the town was more legitimate. there is also the fact that doing business in russia right now may be more trouble than it is worth and as far as hurting the economy, even though McDonalds corporate would make money from selling in Russia, they are paying the employees, distributors, utility companies and so on. So not getting that cut will hurt people. Yes, it probably won't hurt the rich or powerful but it may be part of death by a thousand cuts.