When you’re the emperor Augustus, they let you do it.

Our country was established 250 years ago by a revolt against the tyranny of a monarchy. Our Founding Fathers then crafted our Constitution, which determined how the new republic should be governed.

To the editor — For years I've heard Republicans say "We're not a democracy, we're a republic," which demonstrates ... structure such as the checks and balances among branches of government.

Reinforced by checks and balances, then a novelty in the evolution of constitutionalism, and the founding generation’s repudiation of usurpation of power, born of its own dreadful experience ...