Mine was the last generation to experience the rapidly closing window of illusion, convinced the US was an untouchable republic. I grew up in the Reagan era but thought myself immune to chest-thumping arrogance. Sadly, even I had blinders on.

Since then, the illusion has given way. Over the last two decades, I allowed for the possibility that the US was never a true republic.

So, if we're not a republic, can we overcome the here and now, emerge from the ashes, and finally become one for real?