The Russians have a lot at stake, and the power of Moscow pride should never be underestimated.

The recent history of Ukraine is replete with dead journalists, beaten journalists, news agencies being shut down, and politicians being injured or killed. Most are killed in mysterious auto accidents.

Vote counting and ballot collecting does not occur in the light of day. There are too many occasions when observers and opposing parties lose contact with the ballots.

The Western media tends to place a lot of emphasis on "official" institutions in Ukraine such as its supreme court, the central election commission, and the parliament. In reality, the people of Ukraine now control their destiny.

Government is just spending too much money.

My mother is Ukrainian. She immigrated to the U.S. from Canada as a child.

The only people helped by the death tax are lawyers, accountants, and IRS agents.