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This botched operation shows how representative government has been subverted in America. Power should flow bottom-up, rather than top-down. Would putting this

This botched operation shows how representative government has been subverted in America. Power should flow bottom-up, rather than top-down. Would putting this operation to a democratic vote ever result in approval? Highly doubtful. This suggests our current form of democracy is deeply broken and urgently needs fixing. IMO the issue is how we think about power itself. The assumption underneath it all is that once we vote, power becomes fully vested in our elected officials rather than remaining with the people who conditionally granted it to them. The "representative" part of our democratic republic has become the hack that allows crappy politicians to take over and use power for their own benefit. We grant power through voting, but that power should stay accountable to us - not disappear into secret operations that would never survive public scrutiny.

cellis 1y ago
"Would putting this operation to a democratic vote ever result in approval?" As a civilian, I understand the intention. But, unless all are warriors of equal rank, I don't want the public voting on how the military will be run minute-by-minute, nor do I think it's helpful for the public ( i.e. our adversaries in a very real sense ) to have access to information of classified operations. That sounds like a recipe for an authoritarian / tyrannical government to absolutely steamroll us...which would negate the advantages of a democracy in the first place.
nappy 1y ago
you make it very clear that you have zero understanding of what republican democracy is in the United States.
- brcmthrowaway 1y ago
  Do tell more
kelnos 1y ago
Not sure what you mean. This is exactly what you get with representative government. In theory accountable, but nearly all decisions are made by proxies, and not by the people as a whole. Putting special ops up to democratic vote is absurd.
01HNNWZ0MV43FF 1y ago
Some other countries have a "no confidence" process to remove elected officials, right?

cellis 1y ago

"Would putting this operation to a democratic vote ever result in approval?" As a civilian, I understand the intention. But, unless all are warriors of equal rank, I don't want the public voting on how the military will be run minute-by-minute, nor do I think it's helpful for the public ( i.e. our adversaries in a very real sense ) to have access to information of classified operations. That sounds like a recipe for an authoritarian / tyrannical government to absolutely steamroll us...which would negate the advantages of a democracy in the first place.

nappy 1y ago

you make it very clear that you have zero understanding of what republican democracy is in the United States.

brcmthrowaway 1y ago
Do tell more

kelnos 1y ago

Not sure what you mean. This is exactly what you get with representative government. In theory accountable, but nearly all decisions are made by proxies, and not by the people as a whole. Putting special ops up to democratic vote is absurd.

01HNNWZ0MV43FF 1y ago

Some other countries have a "no confidence" process to remove elected officials, right?