"Lower" meaning working class, I suppose. In Russia, it would seem, the idea that everything's for sale and that money buys anything is not a working class idea. On the contrary it appears that people with an income that puts them among middle class and higher have this attitude. It's the same in other countries, by the way.

I wasn't talking so much about what actually takes place, but about what's being said with lots of persuasion. I.e. ideology. And it's being said that market economy is the way to go. Isn't that ideology, especially considering what you say? That is, that there is not so much free market, all things considered, in Russia.

Your tail is wagging the dog, if you know this expression. First "everything crushed" and then people became brainless and started self-anihilation. But why did it crash in the first place? If by "we" you mean Russians, I absolutely can't agree about self-destruction. I don't know any other nation that has survived through such an intensive genocide as Russians endured in the XX century and continue to endure now. It's appropriate to speak about an incredible will to live and adoptability.

I don't particularly like e-mail, since I already get a few dozen messages a day at work. I'd rather use comments. Especially since other people may want to read and reply to them.