This place is made by and for freedom-loving individualists and patriots to discuss politics. Do we not believe that freedom of speech is a God-given right? Do we not believe that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people?

Putin may allow for a strictly controlled capitalist system in Russia, but he doesn't allow for public dissent or legitimate elections. It's not communism, but Russia is still ruled under one form or another of authoritarianism.

I'm no fan of 'Hairy Legs' either, but Putin is not one to look to for a good example of a leader who treats his subjects as free human beings as opposed to livestock. He may be easy to trust or admire because he's not a pussy like western politicians (Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau, etc) but he's absolutely not an individualist.