I used to subscribe to the notion of duty to God, family and country. Well, “country” now has been rendered pretty expendable. Especially when it has become the downright enemy to God and family.
The US has moved away from a society built on constitutional principles of law. This didn’t start under Obama, but has accelerated during his presidency.
In some ways, Americans are already less free than Europeans or even citizens of Russia or China, e.g. in financial privacy and investment choice.
Freedom of association has collapsed. For example, a baker cannot refuse service if he is offended by the customer’s request. It is just a matter of time before churches (at least institutions declaring themselves as such to enjoy tax exemptions) are required to marry two or more parties who comply with the prevailing legal definition.
“Everything not forbidden is compulsory”- this is the totalitarian principle. We aren’t quite there, but should not be surprised as such a society is erected around us.
To return to a republican form of government would require a counterrevolution. I don’t see many institutions worth conserving.
The markets? Corrupted by bailouts, SarbOx, Dodd-Frank, and unfettered Fed intervention.
Private enterprise? The largest simply suck on the teat of the state, with few exceptions (e.g. Koch Industries). Business has become an extension of state power by other means.
Churches? Mostly tools of the progressive orthodoxy.
Schools? They succumbed to the progressive “long march” many years ago. Some of the gravest damage was done by GWB’s NCLB.
National Sovereignty? Heh heh...
The Protestant Ethic? Dead, except among the upper middle class and Asian/South Asian immigrant strivers. But ironically these groups are among the most hostile to conservative ideas.
Family? Perhaps the last bulwark against state power. The pink police state is strong and growing, however...