>>Representative democracy is a kind of republic, so we are both. However, the real question is who are our representatives and who controls them? The people as it should be or big corporations and big $?
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>Best democracy money can buy?

..right - for those with the money. Citizens United gives legal bribery a chance to prevail (I think Jimmy Carter said that). Between that and all the lobbyist it's just a handful of super-rich families and big corporations that are calling the shots now. The real question is how do you go about fixing it? Citizens United is horrific - and not so much because of how the superpaks effect the presidential election - but it gives the opportunity for lower-level politicians to overpower other voices to an unprecedented degree. Big money in politics distorts representation and responsiveness, preventing effective policy solutions supported by majorities of Americans. This is one of the reasons why I like Bernie Sanders - he's the only candidate that is truly focused on fixing these issues of money in politics.