For the time being, we are a republic. Period.
Funny thing that states where I have lived in the last 20 years have passed laws via direct vote of the people, as well as ammended the Constitution via direct vote of the people to:
Limit Property Taxes
Legalize Marijuana
Create 3 strikes for repeat offenders
Reduce price of car registrations
Permit Indian gambline
Prohibit non-Indian gambling
Increase penalties for child molesters
Limit property taxes
Support property rights vs. zoning
create a fund to pay for stem cell research
and many others..
So at least in California, Oregon and Washington to say: we are a Republic, period. is kind of wishful thinking.