As Americans wipe their asses...
Cult of personality. I believe it's a very dangerous thing, no matter the country. The further you travel into provincial Virginia, the greater the chances of seeing villages filled with rednecks, Confederate flags, and citizens who hate Obama for turning the USA into a socialist State. Yes, in America such people exist in multitudes, and there's no cult of personality for one particular leader. In the mountains of the Blue Ridge area, I entered a quaint antique shop and came across this roll of toilet paper, graced with Obama's face. A whole shelf full of them, for people who wish to wipe their asses with Obama's imprint. I frequently see posts here on LJ with all the patriotic t-shirts, even vending machines filled with shirts covered in Putin's portrait, slogans with glee over "our Crimea" and other hysteria. Who wears these items?
1. I've never seen anyone wearing a Putin t-shirt in all of my travels in Russia. Maybe this is because I'm usually there in winter, when people are wearing heavy coats with their shirts covered. In the U.S., I've only seen t-shirts with Obama in Washington, DC, right by the White House. I don't think it's common to see his portrait everywhere, on clothing, on the walls, or anywhere else. In my small hometown, there's a barber shop with his image in the window. It's very strange, but of course the owner has a right to express his adoration for the President.
2. The owner, a middle-aged black man. Very friendly and proud that the U.S. elected its first black President. If you're ever in Manassas, Virginia, visit "Royal Cuts," and have a chat with him. He looks a bit like a gangster with his tattoos and tough exterior, but he's a big teddy bear on the inside. :)
3. As the Pope arrives in my area, I was reminded about the adoration of social and polticial leaders. Perhaps with the former it's more understandable. People like the Pope, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, who are compassionate and humble beings trying to selflessly help humanity, I believe they are worthy of respect and admiration. But for political leaders? I will never understand it, and view all of this adoration as blind patriotism, a result of propaganda generated by the very leader portrayed on the t-shirt, poster or wall. This is why such cult of personality is typical mostly with dictators, or long-term leaders, including Putin. In the U.S., there's a different type of patriotism which is prevalent. This comes in the form of the American flag, which hangs almost everywhere. Gas stations, public places, restaurants, and almost always on private residences. I read somewhere that almost 70% of Americans have a flag outside their home, or somewhere on the premises. The flag is frequently on clothing, hats, gloves, anything you can imagine.
For me, there's a profound difference, but I doubt most will agree. I will be called naive and brain-washed for the following opinion. The American flag- it is a symbol of the nation as a WHOLE, not a particular leader or person. Politicians should always be criticized, held to high standards, and openly challenged. It's the only way a society and country grows and improves over time. Can you buy Putin toilet paper in Russia? I've seen images of it online only in Ukraine. Without aggressive challenge and discontent toward a political base, there's zero incentive for leaders to change or work to secure their future position, and more importantly, the future of their countrymen and women.
Do you know people who wear Putin t-shirts? Who wants to wipe their ass with Obama? I will mail this roll of toilet paper to the person who most easily convinces me that Obama is a horrible President. Everyone loves a contest and prizes, right? :)
P.S.: Thanks to all who provided comments and opinions on the differences between Soviet life and modern Russian life. I didn't have time to respond to everyone because I'm very busy, and there were too many opinions. But I read everything, as I always do.