Most Russians believe that United Russia is a party of crooks and thieves
The public is not surprised that the largest number of wealthy deputies turned up in the State Duma’s main faction. United Russia members represent the interests of the rich, 31% of respondents explain. Another 44% believe that membership in this party provides administrative resources for personal enrichment. And 15% think that this is simply how things have historically developed. Half of respondents are convinced that the scandals over asset declarations and dissertations will soon be forgotten. Only 14% of those surveyed think they will intensify. Another 28% believe journalists themselves will soon switch to other topics, while 15% say the authorities will force this shift by persecuting media outlets reporting on incomes and dissertations. Another 39% believe officials and deputies will successfully sue the whistleblowers and force them to pay fines. United Russia members have already spoken of their desire to punish Alexei Navalny and other offenders (see the article on p. 02). But for the first time, a majority of citizens answered yes when asked whether they agreed with Navalny’s thesis that this is a party of crooks and thieves. Citizens view the ruling class as self-serving. The share of people who believe those in power think about the public good fell from 14% in August of last year to 10% in April, while the share of respondents who think those in power care only about their privileges and incomes rose from 33% to 41%. The number of people who believe Vladimir Putin’s inner circle is concerned with the country’s problems fell from 40% in January 2012 to 33% in April 2013, while the number of pessimists convinced that Putin’s associates put their personal financial interests first rose from 41% to 52%. http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/11652321/partiya_dlya_bogatyh It’s the classic story of the glass that is either half full or half empty. What is going on in the minds of those 49% of citizens who do not fully agree that "United Russia is a Party of Crooks and Thieves"? Why do they call black white—or rather, why is it that when they are shown black, they hesitate to answer? And this is, of course, our shortcoming. 51% is good, but of course it should already be 79%. We’re being lazy, my friends. We’re not campaigning. We think we’re too cool to hang leaflets in the entryway. Your elderly neighbor is not going to do the explanatory work all by herself. We need to launch a new stage of the campaign effort; as you can see, the conditions are excellent. I’ll think about what simple, cheap, and interesting thing we can launch.