Russias economic growth, like any export focused country who doesn’t borrow heavily, fluctuates with the price of the commodities they sell.

Right now, today, Russias GDP is over 10 larger than when Putin first became president.

The US borrows more per year than all but a tiny handful of countries in the world produce. We have increased our debt by $20 trillion since 2013.

US debt in 2013 was around 16 trillion, and in 2024 it’s up to around 36 trillion (that they tell us about).

This doesn’t include student loan debt, credit card debt, municipal debt, and trillions more.

Russia doesn’t borrow. Putin knows they can’t just put everything on a credit card and pretend they earned it. Everyone in Russia understands that. Their PPP GDP is soaring and will continue to because their economy is well managed, real, paid in full.

Even Russian consumers dont borrow much. Sometimes for a home, but are paid for upfront from savings fairly often compared to here. Financing cars or using credit cards is much more rare than most places.

Their sovereign wealth fund has barely been touched because they haven’t needed to touch long term savings that goes to pay for health care, education, pensions etc. It’s called planning, and Russia knows how to do it.

Ponzi schemes always fall apart and the US is about to realize their economy is just a big bubble and based largely on debt and speculation.

Debt is just a form a thievery. Stealing other peoples futures…

Fortunately, Putin and the rest of Russia have taken significant steps to accelerate the removal of all Western tech possible from critical systems of government, transportation, banking etc

They have been unaffected by the Global IT crash.

A little barrier between their systems and the systems too many other countries rely on to the point of detriment is always wise.

It doesn’t please Wall Street, but it’s a prudent way to do business.

Another way Russia has improved under Putin is cracking down on Western spying.

The American citizen, of Russian origins claimed he was a “reporter” but was just convicted and sentenced for spying.

He defense of going deep into the Russian heartland and hanging around military production facilities with a camera, and contacting employees of the factories wasn’t believed for a moment.

People like his family leave Russia, but they cant leave it alone. He never should have undertaken such a foolish plan.

Hopefully he has to serve the entire sentence and is not traded for anyone. That’s the only way people will learn to respect Russian law.

(07-19-2024 08:31 AM)Todor Wrote:  Another way Russia has improved under Putin is cracking down on Western spying.

The American citizen, of Russian origins claimed he was a “reporter” but was just convicted and sentenced for spying.

He defense of going deep into the Russian heartland and hanging around military production facilities with a camera, and contacting employees of the factories wasn’t believed for a moment.

People like his family leave Russia, but they cant leave it alone. He never should have undertaken such a foolish plan.

Hopefully he has to serve the entire sentence and is not traded for anyone. That’s the only way people will learn to respect Russian law.

Given that Russia is an oppressive society with virtually no freedom of press, your Pravda'esque description of that situation holds no water.

(07-18-2024 07:25 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  I like to drop in on Tudors monologue propaganda thread largely just to laugh at the silliness and to inject a bit of reality into this threads fantasy narrative. All measures below are in US dollars.

US GDP in 2013 (the year before US led sanctions began on Russia due to Putins actions in Ukraine)---16.88 trillion

US GDP in 2022---27.36 trillion

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1881...ince-1990/


Russian GDP in 2013 (year before they were hit with US sanctions due to actions in Ukraine)---2.288 trillion

Russian GDP in 2022---2.272 trillion

https://www.statista.com/statistics/2637...in-russia/


Basically, the Russians have lost an entire decade of growth due to Putin "out smarting" and "out maneuvering" the West. In fact, as of 2022, their GDP was still not where it was in 2013 before Putin foolishly began his Ukrainian mistep....and thats just a portion of the financial cost. Im not even considering the 500K+ dead and wounded young Russia men and the loss of literally an entire defense deparment's worth of equipment, armored vehicles, anti-aircraft systems, artillery pieces, and aircraft. His mighty Black Sea Fleet is reduced by a third and currently is in hiding, no longer able to block Ukrainian exports in the Black Sea. Putin has basically squandered most of his Soviet era war machine inheritance for a sliver of Ukraine---assuming he manages to hold on to what he has---which---while likely----is not a certainty.

Facts matter.

Not to Ivan. His job is to ignore facts. Push so called pie in the sky plans. Ignore war damage inside mother Russia. Ignore the use of mercenaries from Africa that are poorly trained or not trained at all being used as ammunition catchers in the dwarf tyrants bid to survive. Russia is in deep trouble because of Putin’s Katherine the Great complex. How much longer it goes is pure speculation but Russia has already lost.

(07-19-2024 12:44 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 08:31 AM)Todor Wrote:  Another way Russia has improved under Putin is cracking down on Western spying.

The American citizen, of Russian origins claimed he was a “reporter” but was just convicted and sentenced for spying.

He defense of going deep into the Russian heartland and hanging around military production facilities with a camera, and contacting employees of the factories wasn’t believed for a moment.

People like his family leave Russia, but they cant leave it alone. He never should have undertaken such a foolish plan.

Hopefully he has to serve the entire sentence and is not traded for anyone. That’s the only way people will learn to respect Russian law.

Given that Russia is an oppressive society with virtually no freedom of press, your Pravda'esque description of that situation holds no water.

Not my problem. Don’t care. Doesn’t matter to me. When Putin took over they supposedly had more “freedom” of the press, which means the Americans could control everything Russias saw, read, and heard.

If their press freedom is an issue, why are we buddies with Saudi Arabia? And dictators all over Africa? Did we help create and fund the Taliban because of their respect for the press?

We want soft, weak, compliant countries that do what we say. In exchange, we forgive anything they do.

If a country has an independent foreign policy a strong central bank that works for their country and not ours, they are an enemy.

That’s really all it comes down to.

And Vladimir Putin checks all the boxes. Any other issues carry no real weight.

(07-19-2024 04:10 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 12:44 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 08:31 AM)Todor Wrote:  Another way Russia has improved under Putin is cracking down on Western spying.

The American citizen, of Russian origins claimed he was a “reporter” but was just convicted and sentenced for spying.

He defense of going deep into the Russian heartland and hanging around military production facilities with a camera, and contacting employees of the factories wasn’t believed for a moment.

People like his family leave Russia, but they cant leave it alone. He never should have undertaken such a foolish plan.

Hopefully he has to serve the entire sentence and is not traded for anyone. That’s the only way people will learn to respect Russian law.

Given that Russia is an oppressive society with virtually no freedom of press, your Pravda'esque description of that situation holds no water.

Not my problem. Don’t care. Doesn’t matter to me. When Putin took over they supposedly had more “freedom” of the press, which means the Americans could control everything Russias saw, read, and heard.

If their press freedom is an issue, why are we buddies with Saudi Arabia? And dictators all over Africa? Did we help create and fund the Taliban because of their respect for the press?

We want soft, weak, compliant countries that do what we say. In exchange, we forgive anything they do.

If a country has an independent foreign policy a strong central bank that works for their country and not ours, they are an enemy.

That’s really all it comes down to.

And Vladimir Putin checks all the boxes. Any other issues carry no real weight.

How does my awareness of the fact Putin is a dictator in an oppressive regime have anything to do with all the other like-minded dictatorships?. I despise them just as much. As far as US policy, sometimes countries choose to work with some dictatorships in order to counter other more dangerous dictatorships. Is it nice? Nope. Do I like it? Nope. That doesn't change the fact that Russia under Putin is a sad continuation of hundreds of years of Russia failing to embrace the best principles of western civilization.

(07-19-2024 04:10 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 12:44 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 08:31 AM)Todor Wrote:  Another way Russia has improved under Putin is cracking down on Western spying.

The American citizen, of Russian origins claimed he was a “reporter” but was just convicted and sentenced for spying.

He defense of going deep into the Russian heartland and hanging around military production facilities with a camera, and contacting employees of the factories wasn’t believed for a moment.

People like his family leave Russia, but they cant leave it alone. He never should have undertaken such a foolish plan.

Hopefully he has to serve the entire sentence and is not traded for anyone. That’s the only way people will learn to respect Russian law.

Given that Russia is an oppressive society with virtually no freedom of press, your Pravda'esque description of that situation holds no water.

Not my problem. Don’t care. Doesn’t matter to me. When Putin took over they supposedly had more “freedom” of the press, which means the Americans could control everything Russias saw, read, and heard.

If their press freedom is an issue, why are we buddies with Saudi Arabia? And dictators all over Africa? Did we help create and fund the Taliban because of their respect for the press?

We want soft, weak, compliant countries that do what we say. In exchange, we forgive anything they do.

If a country has an independent foreign policy a strong central bank that works for their country and not ours, they are an enemy.

That’s really all it comes down to.

And Vladimir Putin checks all the boxes. Any other issues carry no real weight.

That’s a good little Ivan. Stooge for the fascist little tyrant kleptocrat. Good. Good.

(07-19-2024 04:33 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 04:10 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 12:44 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(07-19-2024 08:31 AM)Todor Wrote:  Another way Russia has improved under Putin is cracking down on Western spying.

The American citizen, of Russian origins claimed he was a “reporter” but was just convicted and sentenced for spying.

He defense of going deep into the Russian heartland and hanging around military production facilities with a camera, and contacting employees of the factories wasn’t believed for a moment.

People like his family leave Russia, but they cant leave it alone. He never should have undertaken such a foolish plan.

Hopefully he has to serve the entire sentence and is not traded for anyone. That’s the only way people will learn to respect Russian law.

Given that Russia is an oppressive society with virtually no freedom of press, your Pravda'esque description of that situation holds no water.

Not my problem. Don’t care. Doesn’t matter to me. When Putin took over they supposedly had more “freedom” of the press, which means the Americans could control everything Russias saw, read, and heard.

If their press freedom is an issue, why are we buddies with Saudi Arabia? And dictators all over Africa? Did we help create and fund the Taliban because of their respect for the press?

We want soft, weak, compliant countries that do what we say. In exchange, we forgive anything they do.

If a country has an independent foreign policy a strong central bank that works for their country and not ours, they are an enemy.

That’s really all it comes down to.

And Vladimir Putin checks all the boxes. Any other issues carry no real weight.

How does my awareness of the fact Putin is a dictator in an oppressive regime have anything to do with all the other like-minded dictatorships?. I despise them just as much. As far as US policy, sometimes countries choose to work with some dictatorships in order to counter other more dangerous dictatorships. Is it nice? Nope. Do I like it? Nope. That doesn't change the fact that Russia under Putin is a sad continuation of hundreds of years of Russia failing to embrace the best principles of western civilization.

If the US cares about democracy in Russia, they shouldn’t have rigged the second term election of Yeltsin, who then went on to promote Putin.

Yeltsin had single digit approval ratings in the week of the American orchestrated election, but won easily. No one there believed it but there was nothing they could do. Everyone knew who was behind it, what they want from Russian, and what democracy really means to them.

The US had a chance to demonstrate democracy to Russian people and they blew it so a few connected Americans could keep getting richer.

Now Americans complain that the Russian people and government aren’t democratic enough.

What Americans want in a democracy is for a country to elect the “right” person, and it has nothing to with the election process.

Just like the US is promoting “democracy” in Ukraine by overthrowing the “wrong” democratically elected guy, running new elections themselves, and electing the “right” guy.

That, folks, is how American democracy works for other countries.

I see Russia and China are jointly planning an entire new fleet of LNG transport ships designed to take the gas from Russias arctic coast to China. Backed by Russias billions in new arctic infrastructure investments, the arctic route will likely remain off limits to European shipping companies, helping cement Russian and Chinese dominance over the most efficient route from Europe to Asia.

A Norwegian ship tried to take the route a few years ago claiming its in “international waters,” which is true. But they refused to pay the fees Russia charges. Russian ships closed the icy route to them as a precaution because of the danger of a ship trying the route without support. The ship got iced in almost immediately, the Norwegians had to launch an extremely dangerous rescue operation, and the ship and cargo was lost to the ice.

They had tried to sneak thru the on path Russia and its massive fleet of icebreakers had cleared for one of their own ships and ended up barely escaping with their lives lol. Their greed got them.

The point is, since Vladimir Putin became president, Russia has massively expanded infrastructure and economic activity in its Arctic exclusive economic zone. That is something it even the Soviets were able to achieve to this degree.

Here is a tour of one of Russias massive, newly opened Arctic bases. It’s actually really cool. Even the Beeb has good things to say about it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39629819

It’s been almost a decade since Russia opened a whole string of air bases on its Arctic coast as well. They are equipped for all sorts of rescue and support operations for Arctic shipping lanes and Russian economic activity in the region. As well as to ward of American flights that creep closer to Russian borders all the time, even in the most remote areas.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34391961

The best part is, Putin had them built for less than one army secretary could steal with phony paperwork for kids playground programs lol.

Who’s doomed?

Russia’s economy is a mess. Inflation is near 20%. Chinese banks are refusing to take rubles. Some have even defrauded Russian banks of millions in a ‘Nigirian Prince’ style scam. Putin’s just holding on hoping Trump will get him out of his SMO with something he could claim was a win.

But I’m still waiting on Shere to respond to one of your Ivan’s propaganda post with a “I don’t care!” post.

(07-25-2024 08:06 AM)Was SoMs Eagle Wrote:  Russia’s economy is a mess. Inflation is near 20%. Chinese banks are refusing to take rubles. Some have even defrauded Russian banks of millions in a ‘Nigirian Prince’ style scam. Putin’s just holding on hoping Trump will get him out of his SMO with something he could claim was a win.

But I’m still waiting on Shere to respond to one of your Ivan’s propaganda post with a “I don’t care!” post.

Yet we’re the ones $37 trillion in debt…

Here’s a nice English language documentary about some of the Americans who are moving to Russia.

The first guy shown, the narrator goes around and visits several immigrants.

The former Microsoft IT guy with 7 kids is my favorite. If nothing else, his condemnation of American schools and transgender mania is enough reason to at least watch the first few minutes with his family.

I like how he says he feels freer there because he has no fear over making some random slip up about an lgbt group, getting doxxed and become radioactive to employers, getting death threats etc.

https://en.arteldoc.tv/films/1145-why-i-moved-to-russia

Coocoo for Coco Puffs comes to mind. Gotta love propaganda.

(07-28-2024 10:02 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  Coocoo for Coco Puffs comes to mind. Gotta love propaganda.

You make the claim it’s propaganda, but you didn’t even watch it. From when you came into the thread to when you posted was only a few minutes.

You’re pathetic dude.

Meanhile, the US president was the one that made the claim “no one moves to Moscow for the opportunity.”

Most people, including US presidents are simply too stupid to know Russia is the second largest destination for immigrants of all countries in the world.

But correcting other people’s lack of knowledge is the issue here. Riiiight.

Sure. Keep listening to all Western sources and stay as dumb as you like.

If you have facts showing Russia isn’t a huge destination for millions of immigrants, please post them. Let’s see what you’ve got.

We both know you have nothing. No facts. No knowledge of Russia. Nothing but spouting about propaganda which is, in fact, the truth and not propaganda at all.

They are just facts you don’t like and were if ignorant of until I corrected you. Hey, you and Obama are on the same level though.

You keep chiming in with name calling and big opinions.

Just no facts….

(07-28-2024 10:10 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(07-28-2024 10:02 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  Coocoo for Coco Puffs comes to mind. Gotta love propaganda.

You make the claim it’s propaganda, but you didn’t even watch it. From when you came into the thread to when you posted was only a few minutes.

You’re pathetic dude.

Meanhile, the US president was the one that made the claim “no one moves to Moscow for the opportunity.”

Most people, including US presidents are simply too stupid to know Russia is the second largest destination for immigrants of all countries in the world.

But correcting other people’s lack of knowledge is the issue here. Riiiight.

Sure. Keep listening to all Western sources and stay as dumb as you like.

If you have facts showing Russia isn’t a huge destination for millions of immigrants, please post them. Let’s see what you’ve got.

We both know you have nothing. No facts. No knowledge of Russia. Nothing but spouting about propaganda which is, in fact, the truth and not propaganda at all.

They are just facts you don’t like and were if ignorant of until I corrected you. Hey, you and Obama are on the same level though.

You keep chiming in with name calling and big opinions.

Just no facts….

You are correct. I didn't watch it in its entirety. I only watched it through the segment on the family with 6 kids and a 7th on the way and the beginning of the next segment.

I found that family coocoo. It's an opinion. They just seemed odd to me.

As far as immigration to Russia, yes, they have a large influx of immigrants but the overwhelming majority of them, by the millions, have been from former Soviet countries. In essence, millions of ethnic Russians have returned to Russia from Ukraine, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, etc. The influx from western countries is minimal, especially if they aren't ethnic Russians. There will always be the rare non-Russian Westerner who will immigrate to Russia, like some of those in the video.

Rural and lower income parts of Russia benefiting from production for the special military operation in the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics and in the defense of Crimea.

Just like how the US has a lot of military production boosting the local economies in many of its shlthole areas, so does Russia. It’s a good form of economic aid to poor areas.

People in these left behind areas have seen wages increase by three fold.

https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/...rust-belt/