5 ms·

Yes, I guess I'm biased by living in a Westminster system (which isn't perfect, I'd prefer Germany's structure like you say, but) I think you're entirely right

Yes, I guess I'm biased by living in a Westminster system (which isn't perfect, I'd prefer Germany's structure like you say, but) I think you're entirely right that the American republic system is just broken. I think we'll look back on it in 100 years as an absolutely awful way to run government because it effectively created an "elected" "king" role and gave them real powers -- and then let that king get more and more powers over 100 years until, effectively, they have a rotating (for now) despot. The Westminster system "solves" this problem by having an actual king but giving them zero powers. The German system I think you're right is superior. Ireland also seems to have a nice system. Americans are very enamoured with their constitution, and it has some good words in it. Too bad they don't seem like they want to actually defend it with the real source of power .. which is not words, or "well-armed militias" [almost always the wrong kind], but feet in the street. And that's not even getting into the complete and total dysfunction of their two party structure.

cloche 10mo ago
The leader of the US was actually supposed to function as a king. Washington was offered the role of king for the new country however he rejected it which ended up leading to the presidential role. It's strange how much reverence Americans place in the presidential role as if it were actually a king.
- cmrdporcupine 10mo ago
  It's also strangely martial. Commander in chief, first president a general, all that stuff. The blurring of the executive and the military, the adoration of troops and war, etc. All very strange(?) for a country whose military has only ever been really involved in outside interference and war and not defense of homeland. "Thank you for your service" is an odd phrase to hear to non-Americans -- service for what? The US is at no risk of invasion. Hegseth is a low-IQ fascist fool, but renaming to Department of War is at least acknowledging reality. The Trump government just mostly says the formerly quiet part out loud.
  - palata 10mo ago
    > "Thank you for your service" is an odd phrase to hear to non-Americans -- service for what? Well they are serving the US military, which is generally used for the benefit of the US people. Does not mean it's defending their territory. Now to be fair, when the US people thanks their soldiers for their service, I don't think they are necessarily thankful for the US threatening to invade what used to be considered as allies (like Canada or Europe). But I do agree that it is an odd phrase to hear to non-Americans.
    - ericmay 10mo ago
      Well, it’s usually in the context of saying thanks, for things like nights and weekends away from family and friends on training deployments (or real ones), getting up early every morning, being the first one who has to take action if there is a crises and put their life at risk. So usually it’s said even if the nation isn’t at war because it’s not an easy job. You’ll hear Americans say it to first responders, nurses, fire fighters, police officers, &c. Idk why it’s being characterized as weird though instead of what it is which is just an aspect of our culture to say thanks to others who are doing jobs you perceive to be dangerous or difficult. As a veteran of the US armed forces I hate it because I never know what to say…”thanks for your service’ …uh you’re welcome? But it comes from a good place. Though I try to remind folks that saying thanks isn’t enough, spend time and money helping others, vote, keep your community clean, have high standards for yourself and others, because otherwise your fellow citizens are doing all this for nothing.
      - palata 10mo ago
        That's kind of what I was trying to say: it comes from a good place. But the "service" is more likely to be "invading another country" than "defending the US territory from an invasion", so when you are not a US citizen, it may feel odd. Again, the US have threatened to invade quite a few democracies in the last year. Not sure how happy the people living there are about that "service"...
        10mo ago
- pyuser583 10mo ago
  The President is roughly like a federal version of a state governor. State governors are modeled after Tudor monarchs. Over time the symbolism has evolved - the American people tend to want more pomp and ceremony than the presidents themselves. We are looking for something like the Venetian Doge - a very showy anti-monarch.

cloche 10mo ago

The leader of the US was actually supposed to function as a king. Washington was offered the role of king for the new country however he rejected it which ended up leading to the presidential role. It's strange how much reverence Americans place in the presidential role as if it were actually a king.

cmrdporcupine 10mo ago
It's also strangely martial. Commander in chief, first president a general, all that stuff. The blurring of the executive and the military, the adoration of troops and war, etc. All very strange(?) for a country whose military has only ever been really involved in outside interference and war and not defense of homeland. "Thank you for your service" is an odd phrase to hear to non-Americans -- service for what? The US is at no risk of invasion. Hegseth is a low-IQ fascist fool, but renaming to Department of War is at least acknowledging reality. The Trump government just mostly says the formerly quiet part out loud.
- palata 10mo ago
  > "Thank you for your service" is an odd phrase to hear to non-Americans -- service for what? Well they are serving the US military, which is generally used for the benefit of the US people. Does not mean it's defending their territory. Now to be fair, when the US people thanks their soldiers for their service, I don't think they are necessarily thankful for the US threatening to invade what used to be considered as allies (like Canada or Europe). But I do agree that it is an odd phrase to hear to non-Americans.
  - ericmay 10mo ago
    Well, it’s usually in the context of saying thanks, for things like nights and weekends away from family and friends on training deployments (or real ones), getting up early every morning, being the first one who has to take action if there is a crises and put their life at risk. So usually it’s said even if the nation isn’t at war because it’s not an easy job. You’ll hear Americans say it to first responders, nurses, fire fighters, police officers, &c. Idk why it’s being characterized as weird though instead of what it is which is just an aspect of our culture to say thanks to others who are doing jobs you perceive to be dangerous or difficult. As a veteran of the US armed forces I hate it because I never know what to say…”thanks for your service’ …uh you’re welcome? But it comes from a good place. Though I try to remind folks that saying thanks isn’t enough, spend time and money helping others, vote, keep your community clean, have high standards for yourself and others, because otherwise your fellow citizens are doing all this for nothing.
    - palata 10mo ago
      That's kind of what I was trying to say: it comes from a good place. But the "service" is more likely to be "invading another country" than "defending the US territory from an invasion", so when you are not a US citizen, it may feel odd. Again, the US have threatened to invade quite a few democracies in the last year. Not sure how happy the people living there are about that "service"...
      - 10mo ago
pyuser583 10mo ago
The President is roughly like a federal version of a state governor. State governors are modeled after Tudor monarchs. Over time the symbolism has evolved - the American people tend to want more pomp and ceremony than the presidents themselves. We are looking for something like the Venetian Doge - a very showy anti-monarch.