I am a Russian born, Russian speaking, Russian reading, follower of what is going on in Russia.
I watch their media, I read their publications and their opinion polling. And of course as an American I also know how people here view all that from outside.
How stupid do you have to be to imagine YOU can explain to ME what is happening in Russia?
How crazed do you have to be to not see clear contrast between a fairly open society that is America and a repressive state like Russia?
America has competitive elections, peaceful transfer of power, independent courts and real freedom of speech and media.
Russia has NONE OF THAT. Russians have NEVER voted in a change in power.
Putin was installed by Yeltsin and made damn sure his regime would be the only game in town.