Putin Power (say it like a German and it sounds like the German word for 'dictator')

It looks like Putin may return to power. Excuse my ignorance, but he was never really on my radar when he was in power (I was too worried about the crazy president I had running MY country). But just like every story, Putin was heaven or hell sent depending who you ask. If you ask Westerners he was a dictator in the making. Limiting the freedoms of citizens, increasing the power of government, and not fallin in line with the rest of Europe. If you ask Russians, he stimulated the economy, gave Russian an international presence again, and instilled nationalism in the people. I look at Russia like the step child of Europe. You know it’s there, but you don’t ever acknowledge it. When you go back packing in Europe, how far east do you usually go? Maybe it is because of the policies that nobody visits Russia. Or maybe it’s because Russia isn’t the prettiest of places to visit. Either way, Russia needs to make a name for itself and with Putin in power, it did. I don’t know what the citizens had to sacrifice for it, but they elected him again for a second term. Wait, we elected Bush for a second term too…hmmm. Do you think they will elect him to another term? Maybe they should, if it helps the country. Who knows how America woulda turned out if we elected Bill to another term (prolly same mess, but less messy). And I (kinda) agree with some of Putin’s ideals (oh boy, I’ma communist now). He didn’t like how the US was becomin an international bully with Bush in power (me neither) and he is about putting the nation ahead of its citizens (but I guess it’s hard for a nation of immigrants to have national pride). If America was a team sport, it would be baseball. The individual contributions to make the team better. Maybe that’s why it’s the national pastime (and a boring sport to watch). I wonder if Russia’s national pastime is street brawls.