Running a government via the guidance of imaginary beings is far more dangerous than running one based on hard-line oppressiveness. Supernatural should not dictate the natural.
I don't think governments should be based on deities nor do I think governments should be based on dictatorships. However, if I was forced to choose between a religion-based government (assuming it's a religion that espouses peace and love) or a dictatorship, I would choose the government based on the religion over any of the dictatorships I mentioned.
Is a government based on religion really any different than a dictatorship? Persecution seems to be an end result very often in both cases.
....and now we see countries lining up against us in this Snowden debacle...yeah, this clown we have in the WH is really restoring our place in the world.
It's easy to make fun of BO (like when he threw out the first pitch at a game in Chicago & looked like the guy in the VW commercial teaching his kid to throw) but the joke he's become on the int'l stage is alarming. This Snowden deal really highlights how irrelevant he is becoming around the globe.
Difference between them is Putin is ex KGB, would you like a ex CIA man to run your country? I never liked President Obama from day one and over the years I have seen no reason to change my mind on that, he is as far as I am concerned anti British. I can also tell you that while he is still well liked by many in this country there is a large growing portion of the population who dislike him. You have had British troops supporting Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan and what does he come out and say? "France is the US's greatest friend"! He refuses to even acknowledge the recent Referendum in the Falkland Islands LOL I could go on, the most recent was when he couldnt even get the name of our Chancellor of the Exchequer right at the G8 in Ulster.