Come on. I have never been to Russia or studied the political structure in a systematic way. But I can still assert that this is patently false. If it were no

Come on. I have never been to Russia or studied the political structure in a systematic way. But I can still assert that this is patently false. If it were not, the oligarchs would have absolute control, as it is they writhe (rightly, imo) under the jackboot of Putin. What about local regional and ethnic interests and loyalties? How do you account for state security and other sensitive sectors if you sell all your positions to the highest bidder? A society run like you imply, would soon collapse. Competing money from oligarchs,the mafia, foreign intelligence agencies, rich corporations and so on, would rip it apart. I get the western obsession with Russia bashing but HN readers should have a higher standard.