I suspect way less non-Americans have trouble understanding that than you think. In Canada, where we don't theoretically vote for the executive level in our elections, power can also end-up with those that did not win the popular vote, due to the arrangement for how all various ridings and seat representations are defined. The same problably also happens in lots of western countries.
Do any democracies in the world today operate based on how you outlined for mob rules? Canada's system is not the same as the US, but it's not that different either from the perspective of general elections to elect representatives, and frameworks in place (in Canada it's about ridings) that define how many representatives from different provinces, etc...can make up for the available seats in our Parliament, somewhat crudely similar to your seats in the US Congress. I think you might perhaps only be referring to your Executive Level, for what you explained.
With all do respect the Admiral is a two dimensional thinker who only knows government. At that rank he has to be a good *ss kisser. We now live in the short term profit, nothing about long term just today. ‘ if everyone is working at Mc Donald’s, than know one can buy a Cadillac “ my quote
I think I'd agree lots of the west is living in a short term mindset. I thought that was part of what the Admiral was trying to educate about, in terms of needed change and a better overall coordinated approach? Maybe he didn't specifically mention about it from a short term capitalistic profits mindset (although it's obvious isn't it that has been part of problems in the past for why so much shifted to China over last several decades and part of the situation the west is now in), but certainly mentioning exactly about how China is doing better right now with their long term game plan, and the west needed to wake up and stop wasting their time with internal bickering and side distractions? No?
As someone who has served I tune out when any admiral/General speaks,they are politically motivated animals. In the 70s white collar cheered when blue collar jobs went over seas and all of these experts sat quiet. All of this reminds me of this:
From what I've read, the US military is basically all political once above a certain rank. Not political in the sense of US state or federal politics or US political parties per se, as most of us would understand as politics, but instead military politics. I'd suspect it starts way earlier than Admiral, and many in the US services would probably suggest that anyone over the rank of maybe the equivalent of a US Navy Lieutenant or Lieutenant Commander, is basically already deep into the thick of the service politics of things, with promotion to such higher ranks basically requiring it (ie: those that aren't able to successfully exercise it don't get promoted or appointed to such higher ranks or positions).
Sorry but I have to disagree, I know this person and he only opens his mouth when it might benefit him in some way.
EVERY job today in every industry is about politics, not just the military. Specifically, the woke, wind-and-solar, gender fluid diversity-and-inclusion type of politics.
I'm guessing GM and the rest of the auto industry isn't alone in that situation, and every single sector will jump onboard any good, bad, righteous, miss-guided, path, trend or bandwagon, that they feel they can make a buck or two out of. How about 5G in that regard? What do you think about that (you can reply in the other thread)?
Is it really any different however nowadays, than in the past? Sure the whole she/him/it pronouns thing seems kind of weird and awkward to lot of us that are "up in age". However, I remember my Dad telling me many years ago that the world was going to crap because of arcades and TV and sex and drugs. Is it really different what we are now going through, or just different context from what our parents and past generations went through, or perhaps only because for some of this we are now at the age of looking at it from a perspective we've previously not had the ability or luxury to view it from? You can reply in the "what's with the world nowadays" thread.
These are the end times. That's what's different from before. Free market idealists tried to immanentize the eschaton and the results are slowly manifest. It's not the world your dad grew up in.
Because People are Stupid®
If the people really cared we'd prioritize. The BRIC nations are replacing and growing the fossil related fuels industry to such a level that we're simply not going to make a difference.
Yes, I think there'll be more "conflict a coming" in the future of the world with regards to the West and BRICS and movement away from fossil fuels. Personally, I assume South Africa and then Brazil will come around or be brought around next (or that could be what the powers at be think), or at least sooner then India, then Russia. Maybe Russia before India if the Ukraine thing goes more wrong for Putin. However, the "West" would basically need to massively subsidize and support Russia, as a culture and a nation to stop Putin from going nuclear (based on Putin's threat to use nuclear to ensure Russia motherland never dies). As for the last and biggest one, well there is an entire thread now in here for postings about it. Or, maybe even in the Nowadays thread.
Stop with the facts........hurts peoples feeling....LMAO
I've traced source to end user meter point for decades. A skill set I developed originally for understanding how much fission nuke was reaching my home. That understanding morally compelled me off grid. A topic for discussion in itself. Lol. NOthing to do with CO2. In fact, significant "scientific community consensus" of the day still expected an impending ice age due to human (aka blame USA) activities.