The people who cast the votes decide nothing; the people who count the votes decide everything.
Joseph StalinAmerican democracy and the Soviet system can exist simultaneously and compete peacefully. But one cannot develop into the other.
Joseph StalinWe desire to give the Soviet people absolute liberty of voting for those they desire to elect, those whom they trust to ensure their interests.
Joseph StalinThere is no doubt that the absence of a second front in Europe considerably relieves the position of the German Army, nor can there be any doubt that the appearance of a second front on the Continent of Europe - and undoubtedly this will appear in the near future - will essentially relieve the position of our armies to the detriment of the German Army.
Joseph Stalin