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by rjurney
6205 days ago
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I really don't think I exaggerated by much. I lived in Russia for eight months, and never encountered any Militsia engaging in crime fighting. Seriously, not once. Instead, I only saw them persecuting minorities, robbing people and getting drunk. My least favorite experience involved an encounter with blackout-drunk OMON special forces exiting the all night grocer with another bottle of vodka, toting submachine guns and wailing on us at 2AM on Tverskaya. The silver lining was when they decided, after some debate, against planting heroin on us to extract a bribe from my friend's rich parents. It was definitely a growth experience to be assaulted at gunpoint and threatened with permanent imprisonment. That was 6 years ago. I understand that economic conditions have improved with the price of oil but... have things changed so much? That being said, I do realize that not EVERY Russian cop is corrupt. I actually met a few who seemed decent. But based on my experience I believe the corruption rate is well above 90%, and it is plainly true that very little crimefighting occurs. As to the problems in Russia regarding taxes... if you think I'm exaggerating, you probably don't do much business in Russia. "Knowing the right people" doesn't mean you don't pay the FSB tax, it just means you get better bang for the buck. Even minor oligarchs have their packages seized and 150% tariffs imposed. Whats more, the overwhelming corruption is the reason you need to 'know people' to conduct business. Having to know someone special to carry out basic activities critical to freedom is the definition of corruption. As to complexity: Yes, things are very complex when you have to purchase basic government services, in a country with the world's fastest declining population where half the young men are busily drinking themselves to death. I'm not trying to knock Russia. I care deeply about the welfare of the Russian people. What I stated is simple reality. It shows the overwhelming strength of the Russian people that they manage in such an environment. And Las Vegas has nothing on Moscow. Anyway, it sounds like you're upper crust and don't much face the problems that typical Russians do. When you can't afford access to basic services, the whole outlook changes. |
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Things have changed. Such encounters were very common 10 years ago, less so 6 years ago, there's nothing like this now, I think that the most of those OMON guys are either dead or in prison.
The level of corruption is still very high, but things are getting better. Slowly. Because those who care do something to change the status quo. The problems like those can't be solved quickly.