I’m of the notion that the denial of Democracy is a conservative meme. 

 O.K. I agree, we have a “representative form of government”…BUT…that representation is based upon the foundation of Democracy.  China calls itself a “Republic”, the “R” in USSR stood for “Republics”.  The term “Republic” is meaningless pie-in-the-sky without the word “Democratic” preceding it.  The U.S. is first and foremost a Democracy…except for one GLARING exception:  the way we select a President.  It is time we extend our Democracy to how we select our President, just as we engage Democracy in selecting our local Sheriffs or School Boards.  I’m amazed Americans allow 538 unelected non-representatives choose our President.
“Democratic Republic”, really?  Not when it comes to selecting the ONLY person who actually  “represents” ALL  Americans.