US Election - is it really democratic?

[Mattus]

The ability to vote for the executive branch of government seems pretty democratic. Why can't we do that here?

[Rorschach]

Not really discussing Australia's arrangements mattus.

The ability to vote for the executive branch of government seems pretty democratic. Why can't we do that here?

Care to expand on that rather brief vague statement?

[boxy]

Why would we need another level of government, with the ability to stymie decision makers? We already have a system where the approval of both houses of parliament is needed to pass legislation. Why would we want another elected official on top of that with the power of veto? Better to have a head of state who is appointed by the government of the day, with a clear set of rules to follow. Pretty much what we have, in practice, even if we move away from a Monarchy one day.

[Rorschach]

We have a Constitutional Monarchy. But I do agree with the rest.

[Mattus]

Care to expand on that rather brief vague statement?

I'm not sure why this is vague?

The executive branch of government is the president and his secretaries. The election just held was to select them.

Under the Westminster system we do not have the option of electing our executive branch of government. We elect a legislative branch, who in turn appoint the executive through various faceless men. That, to me, is undemocratic.

A key feature of democracy is the ability to elect your leader. Given that we have never had that privilege, I find this thread questioning the democracy in America amusing and ridiculous. Perhaps it had faults, but at least they get to vote.

[Mattus]

We already have a system where the approval of both houses of parliament is needed to pass legislation.

That is a legislative branch

Why would we want another elected official on top of that with the power of veto?

We need, and have, an executive branch of government for obvious reasons. The problem is we don't elect them, they are appointed by the legislative branch. This is abjectly corrupt and an anachronism to the concept of democracy. Legislative and executive (and judicial) branches must be separate.

[Rorschach]

A key feature of democracy is the ability to elect your leader. Given that we have never had that privilege, I find this thread questioning the democracy in America amusing and ridiculous. Perhaps it had faults, but at least they get to vote.

Nope. That is changing the topic. The topic isn't about Australia it is about the US.
Try to focus on the topic.

It was vague because the topic is much more complicated than you originally made out.

Do you agree with the college system? Do you agree with the numbers allocated for each state? Should voting be compulsory? Do you think this is really democratic or does it disenfranchaise a great many people?

[Mattus]

Go fuck yourself, topic nazi.

[Rorschach]

Hey you asked mattus, I've been nothing but civil to you.

If you can't handle the topic, don't take it out on me through personal abuse.