“With parliamentary and presidential elections three and six months away respectively,” you report, “Russia’s political season is in full swing” (“Welcome to the Circus,” September 17, 2011). “The outcome of both sets of elections is predetermined,” you continue, “as Russian voters know well.” Whence all the buffoons, clowns, and imps that pepper the political season. In the absence of genuine politics, this is the only way to stop the crowd from ignoring elections altogether. Some semblance of democracy must be maintained at all costs. Would that this were a Russian story only, though. Buffoons, clowns, and imps are becoming essential props of democracy in the rest of Europe and America, as well. The trend is unmistakable. In a few short years, the so-called west will surely catch up with Russia. Its messianic rôle, which you report is preached by some of its political entertainers, seems to be assured already.