Al Gore - attack dog of the left?

I read a few days ago where Al Gore said "democracy disappeared in Rome when Caesar crossed the Rubicon in violation of the Senate's long prohibition against a returning general entering the city while still in command of military forces. Bush, too, has gone to war and has come back into 'the city' and declared that our nation is now in a permanent state of war." ' [ Los Angeles Times, June 24, 2004]. I believe this is not entirely correct. Actually, democracy became progressivley more fettered in Rome, and finally disappeared, as a result of the Roman Senate failing to take action when Julius Caesar failed to disband his army on returninig to the Roman state. The Senate had long since abrogated its duties, by submitting to first Marius', and then Sulla's dictatorial aspriations, allowing them to continue on as Consuls beyond their appointed terms. It was only a small step by then to acquiescing to Caesar.
In sum, the loss of democracy is never, I believe, due to the action of an individual tyrant, it happens because the people consent to the act of tyranny. Sadly, I see the United States Congress (and the Supreme Court, even more so) failing to say "no" at appropriate moments. One would suppose enough people would remember the Tonkin Resolution, and dthus be a little shy of granting the President carte blanche to deploy his military in any time/place he wishes to.
Of course, the appearance of a tyranny does require a tyrant. Someone who is so certain he is right that he is willing to take any action without regard to others opinions. I see that in the United States today, also.