#47 | September 10 - 24, 1998  

"Travis, what's the one thing about this country that bugs you the most?"

"I don't know, sir. I don't really follow political issues too closely."

"Oh come on, there must be something."

"Whatever it is you should clean up this city here, because this city here is like an open sewer ya know-it's full of filth and scum. Sometimes I can hardly take it. Whoever becomes the president should just really clean it up, ya know what I mean? Sometimes I get headaches it's so bad... they just never go away, ya know? I think the president should just clean up this whole mess here, should just flush it right down the fucking toilet."

Many are now saying that the failure of Western reforms in Russia has discredited democratic ideals in the eyes of average Russians. This might be true to a certain extent, but we at the eXile feel there is still hope. All that is needed is a change of tactics. Billions of dollars worth of aid and the expensive advice of Harvard-trained "experts" have been a colossal flop, it's true, but there was a much cheaper method available all along: the propaganda potential of American movies.

Take the above exchange between Travis Bickle and the presidential candidate Charles Palantine (from Martin Scorsese's classic Taxi Driver). In an atmosphere completely devoid of hypocrisy and condescension, two very different people are able to illustrate the simple essence of the democratic process at its very best. And what better setting for such a demonstration than a tax cab. Presaging the experience of foreign scribes here in Russia like Jennifer Gould and Vanora Bennett, Palantine notes, "I've learned more about this country from riding in taxi cabs than in all the limousines in America." This is a sentiment that any Russian could understand.

Ironically, the present crisis provides perhaps the last, best chance to introduce true democracy in Russia. Not only is there the very real possibility that new, uncorrupted politicians who are willing to listen to the people's ideas will soon be elevated to power, there has been unprecedented discussion of Constitutional reform finally taking place.

This means that you could soon find yourself in a position to give a politician a piece of your mind. This is a groundbreaking opportunity, and hence should not be taken lightly. Don't be caught off guard like Travis- start compiling your list of gripes now so you're prepared when Mr. Candidate asks for your input.

To help you get your democratic muscles in shape, we are organizing a very special competition: the eXile Crisis Wish-List Contest. The rules are simple: you come up with a list of whatever amendments or additions you would make to the Russian Constitution if given the opportunity. Make your list as short or as long as you see fit. Once your list is ready, fax it (and sufficient contact data so that we can locate you later) to us at 261-2159. We will then present your wish-lists to our hand-picked panel of democratic experts for judging. The three best lists will be presented to the Russian State Duma by Vladimir Zhirinovsky's Liberal Democratic Party and to the U.S. Senate by Alaska Republican Frank Murkowski. Moreover, the three winning authors will receive as many of our limited-edition EZ-tear Death Porn T-shirts as they can fit into their pockets. Entries must be received by midnight Moscow time on Thursday, September 17, 1998.

And even if you don't win the contest, don't forget to save a copy of your list. Or better yet, memorize it-cuz you never know when you might be asked to become in real life participant in the ongoing experiment that is Russian democracy. To get you started, here is the official eXile Crisis Wish-List for Constitutional Reform: