Dear Uncle,

How are things going in America since you moved over there? After you moved to
America when the cold war was over Russia has been getting better. Things here have been
going pretty good ever since Vladimir Putin had stepped in to office. I am very fond of Putin,
and I support him as the new leader of Russia. Vladimir Putin is representing stability for Russia
things that Boris Yeltsin could never do.
Vladimir Putin was head of the FSB, and the successor of the KGB, then Boris Yeltsin
named his the Prime Minister in 1991. When the Moscow apartment bombing happened
Yeltsin decided to resign and leave the problem to Putin to deal with. Putin was there to help us
after Yeltsin let the oligarchs plunder the state resources until it sent millions of us into poverty.
Putin helped out Russia a lot when he reasserted a firm central control over Russian resources.
Since he has been in power the Russian economy has been going up on an average seven
percent per year! The poverty has halved for us here in Russia now, Putin is really helping out
the country. My salary has tripled since Putin has been in power, I am no longer financially
unstable and can afford things I want and need. Currently Russia is doing better than its ever
done.
Putin is a pretty cool guy, hes only 59 and he is still physically fit. Putin doesnt drink
and Im sure many people respect that, I know I do. Putin has done a lot of things to make
Russia better in the time he has been leader. I know the events such as the Cold War were
enough to make you move to America, but this new leader we have Vladimir Putin is a good
one. I hope you see that he is growing in popularity and maybe you will be fond of him too.
Sincerely,
Your Nephew

Dear Nephew,
It is nice to hear from you, my new life in America has been good ever since I moved up
after the Cold War. I understand why you would think that Vladimir Putin is a good leader
because what he is doing economically for Russia. As an American patriot who knows all about
democracy it would be hard for you to tell me that Putin is a good democratic leader. Putin calls
his style of ruling Managed Democracy. Putin doesnt even know what democracy is. The
word democracy literally means government by the people. Under the ruling of Vladimir
Putin, voters do not even have the option of voting for important governors or local mayors. A
true democracy also upholds the basic human rights of its citizens as outlined in its laws,
agreements or constitution. In a democracy, citizens eighteen years of age and older should be
able to share the power and responsibility to decide who will run their country. In America, an
indirect democracy is the form of federal government implemented. This means that voters can
elect representatives to speak for them on governmental decisions. There is clear evidence that
Vladimir Putin has not only gone against the rule of law to change things around just to make
them a bit more lenient for his own sake, but to also go against the basic principle of human
rights. I know that Putin has taken away elections, how could that be democratic? Putin himself
is cheating the ballots to help himself win the elections.
Nephew, I see how you could think that Putin is a good leader, but from what I know
about democracy he is not. It was good talking to you, and It would be nice to see you come
visit here in America some time.
Love,
Uncle