Have come to the painful conclusion that America ceased to be a Democracy when the Republicans ( headed by Abraham Lincoln )  violated the autonomy of the Confederacy by declaring war on it on the flimsy pretext of " preserving the Union " and abolishing the horrible institution of slavery. True enough, slavery HAD to end but for purposes of humanity, NOT politics. World opinion would have put an end to it much sooner than later via trade sanctions that would have made the cotton trade economically unfeasible. 

And here's a news flash...the average white Northener did not give a RAT's ASS about the Southern slaves and the Northern industrialists had a steady supply of VERY cheap immigrant labor who weren't living much better or freer than the black slaves.

Quite simply the Federal government had declared war on Independence (state's rights) which was a threat to a larger "manifest destiny" it had in mind with vested commercial interests. The usual pack o' bastards were up to the same old tricks. The rest is History and Johnny came limping home with a morphine habit. 

The real American dream of personal autonomy and limited Federal government was pretty much dead except for Cajuns, desert rats and railroad bums and anyone else willing to forego convenience for true freedom.

What freedom to build a dream that was left was slowly but surely whittled away by the POBs (pack o' bastards) until America now finds itself just part of the global robber baron's real estate portfolio. I am so glad I have already lived most of my life with the freedom ( with its occasionally attendant uncertainty and inconvenience) that I have always sought in my life.