The most decorated soldier in american history is Smedley Butler. Two medals of honor. He wrote a book, "war is a racket" where he comes to the conclusion that his entire career was to further the interests of big money and elites.
We peons don't get to really choose who governs us, never mind to have government. But if belief in "the consent of the governed" comforts you, go ahead and down vote me.
War is a racket, and we consent to it. We peons as a whole are ignorant and easily misled, consent is easily manufactured. Consent of the governed is not matter of belief, it's simply a fact they operate with our consent for our consent is the source of their power. Smedely Butler is correct, but his statement does not support your argument in any way.
Granted to them by us, voluntarily.