After turmoil of stagnation and calcification of the eighties and the turmoil of the nineties, it is such a shocker that Russia will vote for stability? Having seen a real renewal of the economy underpinned by the strong energy sector, stabilized social sector and the large influx of direct invesment --- how else would Russians vote? They are aware that the leadership at the helm can resoundingly credited with the success. Who in their right mind would not reflect upon some of the decisions that have proven to be of the epochal significance? The guts to tackle anarchy and oligarchs that thought themselves above the law, the foresight to pay off all IMF loans, and establish reserve funds. Did we all forget the lectures that were given to Putin's leadership at the time of the budget surplus, and the decision to establish two reserve funds? There were many politicians that have effs on their faces, as well as many economists and their respective think tanks. Had Russian leadership listened to those, the current financial crisis would have been catastrofic. Apathy? Perhaps better expression is "don't change horses mid-stream". Much has been done, much accomplished. The times are trying, and the last thing anybody desires is to change the trusted leadership at the time of crisis. Opposition need not despair. They need to first build a credible platform, and show through their work in Parliament that they can both collaborate, as well as oppose policies of the governing party. They do not need campaign advertising to "sell" themselves to voters. Over time, if the governing party's policies become weak, voters will take a better look at the alternatives. For now, nobody really has a platform that is future oriented. Liberals are lost in space and time, forgetting that the liberal capitalism has proven to be the trash everybody suspected. And communists need to let go of the past. Everybody will evolve.