“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

... It's not exactly inviting the people in who have the money to pay a citizenship paperwork fee or a lawyer, is it? When our laws drift from our principles, what are we to do?

In any case, no, the President violating the civil service act by arranging to have non-political appointees removed doesn't herald the end of democracy. It might herald the end of the rule of law. Because there's certainly a critical mass of people who are tired of following the laws, I think we could both agree. And if the president is also not interested in following the laws... Laws are just paper if no one follows them.

And, I suppose, that could herald the end of democracy.

Best of luck out there.