Tyranny of the Elite

Is the US a Democracy or a Republic? Do we know the difference?
Check out this video http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/

I think this is the catalyst of the Prepper movement as our Constitutional Republic abandons the rule of law and moves towards the ever changing whims of the majority. People that have some vision as to what direction this Country is going have no choice but to prepare for the consequences of the abandoning of our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and The Bill of Rights.