I actually hope that's how it works. I hope it's like 5 people who secretly run the US. Because that's actually better than democracy and politicians being the source of how decisions get made.

I can't say this enough: I love the way you see things. So damn much. Right now if you told me the earth is a big dragon, I'd definitely seriously consider it. It's crazy.

But that said, while I love your take on the wise old men, I think you're forgetting that there's always that problem with oligarchy, namely that wherein it could be what you said: a group of people with more focus on the long-term, it could also just as easily be the opposite: a group of greedy people looking out for their self interest and that of their family.

And yaa, there's actually a chance the former might be the case and they're all wise guys with great collective ambition. But an important thing to consider is that even though democracy like you said is bound to suck, I think it's still better to suck on your own accord than risk the fact that some group of people will see the future for you, which isnt very likely tbh, judging from what we've seen about people in power all through history.

I guess what I'm saying is, if democracy has a 100% probability of leading to dumb people making bad decisions, oligarchy probably has a 90% chance of poeple making good decisions for the long term benefits of their stomach and that of their family and posterity, and while that's technically better, I definitely wouldn't be willing to take that risk of the remaining 10% at the expense of my own contribution, no matter how dumb, doomed or insignificant LOL.

And by "I" I mean the common man cos honestly I just don't give a F.

Trade War: ha, well like I always say on this matter. I'd choose America to win everytime. Doesn't seem like they will in the longterm, like you said, but I'd definitely want them to win if I get to choose.

Reason 1: I guess I've always had a soft spot for the U.S. They taught me a lot of stuff tbh. And even though right now that feeling has changed a lot LOL I still sort of feel a kind of loyalty to em i guess.

And

Reason 2: I always say this, the evil you know is a 1000 times better than something you don't know. If China ever wins that war and become the superpower America is, I can assure you with all we've seen, they'd be a 1000 times more f'd up.

Tho I'm hopeful for a big awakening and explosion of American wit

You and me both brother. You and me both.