Russian legislative "elections", 2007

[Silent Hunter]

In America, election results choose government.

In Putin's Russia, governments chooses election results.

[Silent Hunter]

Just change "The Soviet Union" or "Soviet Russia" to "Putin's Russia". That's my view at any rate (I know there are many differences).

[Silent Hunter]

One other interesting "result": In addition to 99% of people in Chechnya voting, 99% voted for United Russia. Isn't that a little odd considering Putin's whole "Let's bomb the Chechens!" campaigns?

I thought that Putin would at least try to hide the rigging, this makes it completely obvious.

Chechnya is not really under Putin's direct control - Russia is merely providing a military occupation force in support of a local goon.  Furthermore, a manifestation of force is essential there: you can either "get" 99% there, or nothing.

Same difference.