I think that is the problem. The problem is with that thinking that Russia is still a world's superpower. USSR was such, but not Russia. I know it's painful for many to admit that and many will go far arguing with the obvious fact -- Russia is NOT a superpower. As soon as our politicians will take this into account things might get easier. I wish they got real. Talk to Russians -- they all think that Russia plays major role in the world. Yes, it tries and perhaps it is now can be called a regional superpower, but it cannot be compared to USA or China. It has many internal problems, and corruption is the major one. But in order to fight with corruption the government should begin with themselves and resign en masse. I think that Russia should put its imperial ambitions aside and stick to domestic problems. Right now, Russia is nothing more than an oil field and nobody does anything to change that. The government seems content with that hoping for some miracle in the future.

About Zhirinovsky, yes, I voted for him, but not because I am a great fan of his. I've never had any illusions about this man and I knew that he's safe from becoming a president (Could be fun, though). I simply used my vote in order for it not to be miraculously cast for the United Russia in my absence. Nevertheless, despite his general image of a clown, at least some of his ideas make very great deal of sense. I wish they were expressed by someone less odious.

About the murdered journalists. I can only repeat things I've said earlier. The government doesn't give a damn about what they talk or write. Nothing would discredit them at this point. They will simply tell everyone that things being said are lies and every TV channel will do everything in their power to 'confirm' that. Journalists get killed if they happen to mess with criminals. I may be no great fan of our government, but I simply see no reason for them to kill anyone. They don't need it. No motive. It may appear that some scandalous news make some great impact here, but in reality nobody will even notice it in Russia. People would just shrug it off and return to their business. The government is perfectly safe from the journalists, there are no fourth branch of power here. Some will believe and some will not, but the majority will simply ignore it.