An excerpt from the latest on straightlinelogic, "Gang Wars": What does the US have to gain by picking sides in the Ukraine or the Middle East? Proponents of Ukrainian involvement frame the conflict as Ukraine turning towards benighted, authoritarian Russia or the enlightened democracies of the west. Vladimir Putin has played his hand well, outmatching hapless President Obama (nothing to brag about), but it is still a weak hand. The Russian population is shrinking, its crony capitalistic economy is dependent on petroleum, and there are few incentives for investment that would diversify it away from oil. Although the democratically elected leader of Ukraine was driven from office, democracy is touted as a benefit of Ukrainian ties to the west. Democracy in practice means the gang running the government is chosen by a vote. It maintains power by taking money from a smaller group of voters and giving it to a larger group. Buying votes has been a yellow brick road to the Oz of political power, but the money is running out and producers are wise to the scam.