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[–] NeedMoarGuitars [S] 2 points 1 point (+3|-2) ago 

Gross domestic product in Russia cratered from $2.23 trillion in 2013 to $1.33 trillion last year — a staggering 40-percent drop, according to figures from the World Bank.

Russia's economy has cratered for a number of reasons, primarily their total dependence on oil and gas exports.

Over the past year, the average Russian's monthly wage fell 9.5 percent, slipping below $450 dollars — less than in China, Serbia and Romania," ...

Why would anyone in the US wish to emulate this?

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[–] Ah_Pook 3 points -2 points (+1|-3) ago 

Why would anyone in the US wish to emulate this?

Because weak people who don't feel in control of their own lives desire to be ruled by a strong dictator. They feel that if someone is aligned with their interests and has a tremendous amount of power to act unilaterally, things will be better than the stalemates that can go along with a democratic process.

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[–] Joe_McCarthy 2 points -2 points (+0|-2) ago  (edited ago)

Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country with an economy smaller than that of California. But even as weak as Russia is Putin has moved into Syria in the face of Obama's weakness (remember the red line where Obama backed off?) and Putin probably broke about even with Obama on Ukraine even whilst running, again, a much weaker country.

So yeah, he might be a stronger leader. That isn't saying much and it doesn't mean Putin is a good guy but Trump's point is at the very least arguable.

https://voat.co/v/OccidentalEnclave

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