Team Nelson:
I can understand your reluctance choosing a benevolent Ruler.
Points to Ponder.
1.Would he extend that policy towards whatever minority you belong to?
2. Could he/she be persuaded to let lower levels of Govt be chosen by elections?
3. Could he/she be persuaded to step aside for a true Republic at some time?
VS
A radical Fabian Socialist Govt that wouldn't consider the above three options at all.
Your point #3 is the point around which history bids me cling to even a failed democracy ... while fighting socialism. Many times the people have consented to allow an interim dictator/monarch to serve as a bridge to a more hopeful future. The appeal for such an option in our country comes up on both ends of the spectrum from time to time. We're aghast when someone suggests repealing term limits for Obama, but let's face it ... we might be saying the same thing if someone we liked was in office. I'd be tempted to let Ron Paul take 12 years to really turn things around, but even that would be wrong. George Washington could have been King if he were a different man. But history proves over and over that no one, regardless of stated intent going in, or how their Momma raised them ... no one is immune to absolute power. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.
'tis a far better thing to push straight back to a republic, than settle for a stopgap potentate who may quickly turn tyrant. If the union fragments, its no loss. If the states regain their sovereignty and renegotiate the republic as a result, we will be better in the long run. That would mean an end to every source of federal income many even here rely on (social security, medicare/medicaid, VA benefits, etc.). Cutting off the tentacles will take time, and bloodshed probably (i.e. prisons, socialwork, education, law enforcement). Removing federal mandates would present a short term dilemma for industry, and many businesses wouldn't survive the economy. I for one would be looking to my home state to allow me to transfer my commission to the state "militia." It would put a serious financial kink in everyone's lives ... but our grandchildren will live in the world we wished we had today.