Putin puts ‘Soviet’ bar on poll coverage

Here you go. Reason #1 why we don’t have equal time in America for political candidates:

The Kremlin has introduced a draconian election law which threatens the media with closure if they give details of candidates’ personal lives or analyse their policies.

The new law aims to stem the “black PR” and slurs which marred past elections. But it has infuriated opposition MPs and journalists. Some said it represented a return to the Soviet era control of political debate.

The decree, signed by President Vladimir Putin, places a blanket ban during campaigning on forecasting results and requires candidates to be given equal coverage – a practical impossibility because there are 44 parties.

Take note, for two reasons. Firstly, because it shows exactly why Americans are allowed to dredge up the worst and conduct polling right up to the election – and it allows room for our journalists and politicos to police themselves. Secondly, “reforms” such as these show us that Russia is indeed headed towards a more autocratic form of government more in line with its past rather than a truly Western style government.

Just goes to show that for all it’s imperfections, we really do have the best method of electing public officials. All hail the impregnable two-party system!