MP>Yes, the USSR had a name for that upper class but the name escapes me at
   >the moment.

MP>> Nomenklatura?  By root it's the same as Nomenclature, but in their
  >> case it defined an elite 'ruling class' who worked at or appointed
  >> all people who got the high ranking jobs.

MP><loud Charlie Brown voice>THAT'S IT!</voice>  

MP>I am surprised I forgot that one.  I use it enough.

I did a search for that to be honest. If I'd heard it before it
didn't stick with me. August's comment that it's an Oligarchy is
a good name for it but, because the country started out communist,
I think the lower class is handled a little differently than they
would be in another country.

MP>Yes, that is part of the problem.  They supposedly did away with the
  >Communist form of government but never completely changed their stripes.
  >They seemed like they might be on the right track, at first, until...

RM>> It's more a dictatorship under Putin
  >> supporting the uber wealthy who help keep him in power.

MP>This.  

You know you have a problem when the first thing your Democratically
elected President does is eliminate any future elections, and then
starts eliminating anyone who speaks out against him..

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 * SLMR Rob  * Hindsight is an exact science
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