Russia GDP is $1.67 trillion, California $3.3 trillion, Texas $1.87

[Mike 03]

1. Others have characterized Russia as a gas station with nuclear weapons.

Or, as I prefer, a third world gas station with nuclear weapons.

I agree that first world countries embarrass themselves by treating Russia as a serious international player. But nations need to cooperate to put Putin back in his box. He remains dangerous because his only purpose is to destroy other democracies to deter his own citizens from an uprising.