graphic estimates compiled by the committee, the average life span in 2005 will be 65 years -- the same as in 1996 (Andrew, "POVERTY: Bleak future for the poor"). Russia's population, which has been in decline since the Soviet Union's collapse, shrank by 4,75,000 people last year and currently stands at 147.1 million (Andrew, "POVERTY: Bleak future for the poor"). Demographers blame the soaring mortality rate and low birth rate on a protracted economic crisis, severe stress over the transformation to a market economy and a sharp deterioration in health care. Among other forecasts, the Statistics Committee also said that the female population will exceed the male population by 10 million to 11 million in 2010, up from the current 9.1 million (Andrew, "POVERTY: Bleak future for the poor").The main cause of these problems is Russia's lack of government. They main power controlling Russia is plutocrats that have taken over the economy and used profits for their individual benefit. They now control most everything with bribery, and force. The people also support these plutocrats, because they are the ones providing for the people, as the government doesn't have funds to even pay government employees. Average yearly health care per capita is about 20 dollars a year (Andrew, "POVERTY: Bleak future for the poor"). Russia needs a government to reform its economy and start programs that focus on the needy, health care, and the environment.Russia has neither a productive market system nor a tradition of democratic politics. Western Europe had both. The Marshall Plan was a government-to-government aid program, but because of Russia's lack of a productive market system and governmental capital, aid needs to be directed in the form of governmental support toward Russian socialist reform. This aid should be given, not with resource transfers, but by providing diplomatic support, advice, and very carefully monitored loans. With a stronger g...
