Originally Posted by Advisor

I live in Russia, Novosibirsk.
Don't forget, Russia VERY big and therefore inhomogeneous country with very different cities. They have big and small city, clean and dirty, with police rules and without, with roads and without...
People in Russia not good or bad - just different than another countries like Canadian different than France etc. And have some special parts in charachter.
Many people very smart, but most people not smart - because they must fight to live, hard work for small salary. because our prices VERY expensive! Tax etc. Credits for house etc. 15% and upper per year (I know in America 4%). My rent $1000 for small apartment with kitchen, bath, 1 room and small bedroom.
In my city (3rd in Russia for biggest), average salary is $700 per month!
Politics made our life hardest, they don't wish to rich people with good life. Why? Because if people will have free time in life (not work, sleep...) - people wish to know where money from resource sale? Therefore politics everytime up our tax and scam money from resource sale.

"With bad laws and good government officials is quite possible to run the country. But if the officials are bad, do not help and the best laws. "
Otto von Bismarck