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Well, I can't speak for ALL Constitutional Republics, but a perfect example would be how we elect a president. Sure, everyone votes, however in this country we don't vote directly for President

That's an interesting point. However, I don't think getting rid of the electoral college would make our government a democracy, rather than a republic. For example, France bills itself a republic, but they elect their president directly. On the other hand, the UK doesn't elect their Prime Minister directly- he is chosen by his party and the Prime Minister can actually change without any involvement of the electorate (such as the case where Margaret Thatcher stepped down in the midde of a term and was replaced by John Major), but the UK is not technically a republic.

Maybe we're just arguing definitions here. As a quick guide, Black's law dictionary defines a Democracy as:

That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a system of representation.

A Republican form of government is defined as:

A government by representatives chosen by the people.

It would seem that the US falls under both definitions.

Sure, it may fall under both definitions. The difference is, a pure democracy wouldn't have the checks and balances system built-in as we do - I'd be willing to agree that we have a limited democracy, but that's about as far as I will go.

As for France, they can call themselves a republic all they want. I mean, heck even Communist China bills itself as a republic. Just because they call it that, doesn't necessarily make it so ;0)

California definitely has direct democracy. Florida also. In recent elections, Floridians voted to build a high speed railway to nowhere, insured that pregnant pigs have roomy pens, and limited public school class size.

They are also learning the cost of these follies. The class size limit was accomplished on the same budget by reducing or eliminating frills like music, art and sports. Florida also is required to balance its budget every year. People learn that increased spending in one area will hurt another.