Actually it monarchy and democracy get along just fine in Britain. The secret is that the monarchy is ceremonial, a symbol of unity above the political fray; and all power rests with the democracy.

Not to put to fine a point on it, but don't you think the US could use a person representing the unity of the republic is precisely situations like NOW. I am not serious of course, but don't knock the positive aspects of other systems!

As a matter of fact, if you were thinking of the monarchy of our bishops, it would help a lot if they adopted more of that notion of monarchy as symbol of unity, inherently apolitical, don't your think. Would make what the US bishops have been doing in the US electoral process unthinkable.