I'd just like to remind Americans that France is currently on its Fifth Republic since 1789 (with three Empires—with monarchs—interleaved until 1870).

The USA appears to be in the dying days of its Second Republic (time out in 1860-65) but something better will emerge eventually, if we avoid planetary ecosystem collapse in the meantime.

This, too, shall pass.

@cstross is the 5th better than the 4th? Is the 5th any good for democracy? I am not sure. Be careful what you wish for.

Not everything shall pass, not everything gets better.