400 million people is 400 million distinct people. Nobody could or does represent them; the idea that someone can represent "the will of the people" is propaganda. Same with every other government; they actually just have control.

[–] stylusmobilus@aussie.zone 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

A leader that is elected by their country, represents it. It’s a collective responsibility.

In Trumps case, he truly represents it, in every way. Selfish, debaucherous, arrogant, can’t take criticism.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

A leader that is elected by their country, represents it.

Well, that's basically the propaganda. Says who? God? Physics? Neither. And, elect how? Some countries have proportional representation, which neither the US or Canada do.

At the end of the day, a state is anything that has a monopoly on the use of force. Some allocate political power within themselves through elections (of many massively different kinds), while some do it other ways.

You could say, "okay, elections have nothing to do with it, but we're still responsible for what we let our governments do", which covers the "it's a collective responsibility" bit. And there's a strong argument for that. But, by that measure pretty much everyone sucks everywhere, which you can take however you want.

[–] stylusmobilus@aussie.zone 1 points 18 hours ago

Says who

Well in that country, Republicans voters definitely because they turn out to vote religiously. We know they’re represented.

I guess this presidents apathy and selfishness represents those who don’t vote for whatever reason, so he represents them as well.

For those that did and are looking for excuses, this president gives a lot of those too, so I guess he represents them?

That’d cover it wouldn’t it?

You could say, elections have nothing to do with it

Well if I go by the evidence demonstrated repeatedly by the Republican vote, which is evidence demonstrated by Americans, I have to disagree.

pretty much everyone sucks everywhere

Well, no, but we are responsible for our governments. As an Aussie I’m ashamed of my weak government and I will act however I can next election, but I note that the voting strategy, which was to vote in progressive senators that block bad policy and pass good I and many others took has been reasonably effective here.