Stalin, Hitler, now Putin

Re. Joseph Bergoich's letter “Putin for prez” (March 2): Isn't it ironic that this letter appeared the same day that the Page 1 headline said, “Russia seizes region in the Ukraine”?

The letter contains some disturbing and out-of-context comparisons, so I will try to correct them:

• Putin's own people question his integrity and corrupt ways, as his assets far exceed his income

• He gave asylum to U.S. traitor Edward Snowden and his friend ex-Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych, who also lived lavishly at his country's expense.

• His own people compare him to Stalin, who killed 11 million of his own people.

• His idea of negotiation is military interference or shutting off neighboring countries' gas pipelines.

Putin is like Hitler — he wants to control the world as he sees fit. Now he has alienated his fellow G8 leaders.

Mr. Bergoich says the United States is a socialist country. I see mom-and-pop shops and companies small and large, many of which are traded publicly on the stock exchange. I don't see government controls, except for safeguards. The NSA and CIA are not the KGB. Our country isn't perfect, but everyone gets a vote.

Maybe I am naive to think I'd rather live in the U.S. than any other country. Mr. Bergoich said terrible things about the U.S., but he must not be too disgruntled because he still lives here. According to Expedia, you can catch a one-way flight to Moscow on Friday for less than $2,000.

I'll say it again: “America, love it or leave it.“

Jack Juris

Buffalo Township