Not totally. You really should visit Russia before making blanket statements like that. Yes, I saw gangsters in Russia but it's not like you can't sidestep them unless you are trying to engage in some large building project. I did go to a gangster owned restaurant which was quite nice but I got a distinct feel it was obviously gang controlled. Lots of expensive SUVs outside in the parking lot with some tough looking guys using the saunas off to one side. A local judge invited me there and we had a lovely dinner.
Okay? And you can do lots of stuff here in the states without running into coppers or walking into one of those diners where there's always a couple police eating. Controlled doesn't mean they're omnipresent.
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