"I'm not of the "Republic is dead" mindset"
I am.  The Republic as designed died when the
16th and 17th amendements
were passed. A significant amount
of states power was transferred to
the Federal government with taxation
and the Senate originally designed to represent
the states, became useless in that function.
America today is much like Europe was and still is,
a bunch of states ruled by the large cities.
America was originally designed to avoid that.
Today in America big cities rule over their respective states.
Honolulu rules all of Hawaii
Portland rules Oregon
Seattle rules WA state
New York rules all of NY state
and on and on.
The Republic is Dead!
The real division in America is now Rural vs Urban.
Free men vs. Control freaks.
Just my $0.02.

In that light, sure.  I think this election and 2016 brought that to light.  But, maybe I am the naive one and thing not all is lost. 

The real division in America is now Rural vs Urban.
Free men vs. Control freaks.

My feelings exactly.

The fervent devotion liberals have to all the government commands about the China virus, and their rage at those of us that give them the finger are clear evidence of the division.