Dick Greenhaus: "I don't recall that I supported 'czars' at any level of government.At the Federal level, though, I haven't seen 'czars' deposing state governments, or voiding exiting contracts or eliminating pensions or disenfranchising anybody."

Well, we have a plethora of department heads in the federal government, who make decisions that affect us all...and they are not elected, nor does there seem to be any recourse, other than to 'go with it'. I've pointed out Immelt several times, who was granted $500 billion dollars, and appointed 'jobs czar' under the Obama administration..who went to China to start jobs there..with our tax money. Then you have 'Homeland Security', and EPA..jeez, you could just Google them..and see how many we have, in governing positions..and they have great latitude to pretty mush do whatever they wish, within their departments...
..as for: "Can we afford Democracy?"...I don't know, we haven't had one, in a long time!
Perhaps, after reading your last post, and Bruce's, "It's easy to misread Dick.." Maybe you meant 'capitalism'...I'm not sure if that's what you're meaning.

Anyway, Thank you Bruce and Dick...for an intelligent, sober thread!

Best Regards,

GfS