First and foremost, I want to say that I know virtually nothing about what is actually going on here. My Russian is sophomoric, AT BEST, and it’s basically impossible to understand the media when speaking Russian (or Ukrainian). Let me reiterate, I’m just a little man, with an even smaller… opinion. So, if any government official (USA or UKR) reads this and get’s pissed — I beg you to not come and kill me. Trust me, I’m not worth it.

The President (Victor Yushchenko) dissolved parliament a few days ago.

Crazy how a person can do such a thing, don’t you think? The “word on the street” is that he’s going to hold elections that nobody is going to attend/vote for, sometime in December I think.

This happened because Tymoshenko, the Prime Minister, is siding more and more with the Russians. Anyhow, this will be the third election in 3 years.

The thing is, the Government here is COMPLETELY CORRUPT. I’ve mentioned it before, but I cannot emphasize this enough. They are all on the take. They are all guilty of something. Sure, sure… so is every government (except perhaps Lichtenstein or something). But seriously, everyone has their OWN agenda for making THEMSELVES RICH.

That’s IT. Money talks, Suckers walk.

There’s only one Pie. The fewer people that get a piece, the more for each. So if there’s no Parliament (at least for a little while), there’s more for the people remaining. Pretty cool. Unfortunately, Ukraine’s money situation is dire. We are being hit by the “credit crunch” as well. Have a read: Bloomberg

Now… again, don’t get me wrong. I think the President is, RELATIVELY speaking, forward thinking. And the Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko (funny how it sounds so similar, eh… kinda like having a Vice President in the USA named Push) is a true politician. She FLIP-FLOPS on issues whenever it suits her pocketbook, from month to month — depending on where her money is coming from (this is just a guess –> please don’t kill me). Sure, she’s beautiful (as far as politicians go), but that should only get you so far. She’s as corrupt as the rest of them.

Finally, the opposition party, Victor Yanukovych, is a real “bad apple.” He’s a Soviet through and through. He was in prison for rape, I believe, but the real issue is that the was BIG time MAFIA when he was younger. And now the rich man runs for government. Granted he lost, because Yushchenko and Tymoshenko “teamed up” to defeat him last year — but he obviously has support of some people here.

Tymoshenko keeps flip-flopping (not only on issues) but between being friends with either President Yushchenko – or Crime Boss Yanukovych. Please, I beg you, do not put a price on my head… I’m not even worth the cost of a bullet.

But from my view (albeit limited)… there are really only those 3 people in power. Sure, there are some stragglers that are constantly trying to get a BIGGER piece of the corruption pie, but they wield little influence. And, the likelihood of them ever getting elected to a high office is… well… nil. Why? Because everything is controlled and corrupt here (as I’ve mentioned). It’s gross. I’m sure it’s the same in america, but you simply have to cover your tracks better.

Funny, but the politicians are all multi-multi-millionaires. In a country where the average wage is $400/month, and the price of ALL MEDICATIONS…

did you read that?

ALL _ M E D I C A T I O N S

… just increased by 40%.

YESTERDAY!!!!

No kidding.

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And just a couple months ago, BREAD DOUBLED IN PRICE!!!!

Talk about inflation!

Anyhow, it’s nutty that people who are being squeezed so hard would vote for criminals to run their country. A statement full of irony, eh?

Alrighty, gotta go let my wife cut my hair — she’s getting good at it!

Peace, Love, Happiness, to ALL