Congratulations!! "Federal Republic" you passed 10th grade government! That must be where the kool aide was served
Very enlightening.
Saying that the Americans run the country is a way of saying that they
get a vote. You shouldn't read too much into it, my lad. Of, by, and for the people is still a republican ideal. However, next time you want to display the weaknesses of democracy you should instead quote Tyler. Two hundred years ago he wrote "
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. When the voters discover that they can vote themselves a largesse from the public treasury the majority will always vote for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy and is always followed by a dictatorship." and Blah blah blah etc
. . . I think he's right.
But Americans still run this country - just not at the 30 min sitcom tempo that many desire.
Now go ahead an put your finger to your temple close your eyes and say,"
The sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle is equal to the square root of the remaining side. (pause)
Oh joy, rapture!"
About Planes - I think you lack some technical understanding in this area.
You qoute,"
. . .but they *could* easily divert and land on foreign soil. Given their speeds, quite possibly more likely than a pokey old sailboat."
No flight gets into the US without filing a flight plan. If it doesn't file it gets tracked and chased. I've seen it, and I've helped.
Each of these planes is either followed to a landing spot to straighten out the mess with DHS, Customs, and DEA. Usually someone gets arrested, and he sues the gov't. Do you recall hearing the radio calls on VHF Guard "
Unknown Rider, Unknown Rider, at (POS). Contact Green Crown on freq (XYZ) of you will be intercepted." ? Oh well ... you may be unfamiliar with international flights rules and the ADIZ procedures. There no where to divert and "pick-up" anyone without drawing an awfull lot of attention. You can sleep well in this regard.
Passports are a good thing. . .