PROTESTING THE END OF DEMOCRACY, PUTIN AIDE QUITS

BBC:

Economic adviser Andrei Illarionov said Russia was no longer politically free but run by state corporations acting in their own interests."I did not sign a contract with such a state," Mr Illarionov told reporters. "It is one thing to work in a country that is partly free. It is another thing when the political system has changed, and the country has stopped being free and democratic," Mr Illarionov told reporters in Moscow. He said that "therefore it is absolutely impossible to remain" in his post.

Putin is NOT an ally; he is our major competitor, and he is ruthless and will do anything to achivee greater power for himself and Russia - INCLUDING aiding our enemies (Syria and Iran and North Korea). Bush MUST get tougher on Putin and Russia.