[ppaul]

Yes, we replaced true royalty for the faux royalty of showbiz celebrity.

Actually, we do have royalty:
Government employees. Senators & Congressmen.
They enjoy perks and privileges our founding fathers never dreamed of.

[Wm Bach]

Actually, we do have royalty:

Nah, basically just the three royal lines. The House of Bush (ascending), The House of Kennedy (waning), The House of Rockefeller (necrotic).