'Supposed to be' a republic...
The U.S. is neither a perfect republic nor a direct democracy, but a mishmash of those two plus plutocracy. Current trends have made it clear that we're a republic in name only. The real power lies with nameless unelected individuals who hide behind curtains and may not even be American.
I would agree with you that the nation was 'supposed to be' a republic - but for the fact that in a republic, citizens do not lose rights when tried and convicted by a court or targeted by a drone-wielding President. They are sovereign, and no entity or collection of entities has rights exceeding theirs.

My posts are for CONSERVATIVE PATRIOTS ONLY. If you are a liberal, socialist, communist, democrat, media parrot or sympathizer with the above, then your opinions are neither welcome nor worthy.