This story shows the latest poll findings that confirm racist sentiment is rising in Russia. Another story cites President Putin's top political advisor warning that rising xenophobia will destroy the country if present trends are allowed to continue. You have to wonder--if this problem really does threaten the country's future stability (and it does), why isn't the government doing more to stop it? More importantly, why is the Russian government implementing openly racist policies, such as the witch hunt against Georgians and the new quotas on non-Russians in markets? Why did Kremlin political consultants help create the Rodina party, which is openly racist, and continue to treat Zhirinovsky like he's a statesman? Their short-sighted hypocrisy in the service of pandering to the nationalist electorate may lead to truly horrible consequences for Russia.

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