The ruble is gaining value relative to the dollar in food markets and shops selling VCRs, radios, and tape-recorders, but service has not improved. If you reserve a table, you will get an incredible spread, but it may include dishes that you would never have ordered. There are still long lines for cheaper food in the state stores, partly because the huge piles of money that Russians must carry take much longer for salespeople to count. So it is clear that the sweeping political transformations have not yet translated into meaningful improvements in people's daily lives. People have almost lost their trust in reforms.
Many recent polls show a drop in the government's popularity and a rise in the public's impatience.
The chameleons Even a few months ago, Russia's political situation was unique. Unfortunately, this victory did not benefit the democrats, but others. After replacing the flags on top of the White House, the Supreme Soviet stopped its democratic activities and turned back to the old regime. Former party bureaucrats changed their colors, chameleon-like, but occupy the same places. One can hardly find a new chief without a communist background.