I am wondering when the citizens of the United States of America started believing our country is governed by a democracy?

The fact is todays youngsters on up to most middle agers cannot recite the Pledge of Alegiance because they simply don't know the words.

Truth is most do not know we pledge alegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands.

The proof in this statement was expressed by the Founding Fathers when they chose the gentleman from the unheard state of Virginia called George Washington.

John Hancock the man from Pennsylvania with the big signature fully expected to be chosen as the General of our first Continental army. He was not chosen to show the world we are a REPUBLIC. One state is represented by all states, and all states represent every single state even though our individual states are sovreign and govern themselves.