Because the US does not have referendum. Some states do, but there is no national referendum in the US. If there were the country would likely be quite different. There are issues that “both sides” agree with that neither side push for because it’s not profitable. If we had a referendum we might be able get certain things passed.

Of course, you’d have to depend on those in power to do the referendum to give us a chance to vote on it anyway…

It’s almost as if representative democracy isn’t actually all that democratic most of the time

Cynically? Because what they want to do rarely aligns with what people actually want. It’s far easier to just push through unpopular legislation and spin it retroactively than it is to run a full propaganda campaign ahead of a referendum and still risk losing.

Politicians only run referendums if they’re sure the outcome will be what they want, or if their hand is forced by the opposition.

Brexit. That’s why. Don’t trust a nation changing referendum to a country of mouth breathing tools that are more concerned about what Kim K. is wearing than what a policy means.

why would they? america is basically under foreign occupation, that is how much your government cares about the people.

Can you be more specific? The US doesn’t have any mechanism for a national referendum on a specific issue. Usually when people use that term, they’re talking about mid-term elections (and reelection bids) being a “referendum” on a President’s total popularity.

No such thing as an american presidential referendum. What?

You’d need to be a very popular president to do that and not embarrass yourself.

Judging by what “conservative” (far right) politicians in my country say, they specifically don’t want to give people time off. Their idea of “appriate worker’s/citizen’s rights” is more akin to “indentured servitude”.

Because it’s pointless.

It’s a “feel good” thing in a Representative system.

Also, that’s time off without pay. I can arrange that all on my own.