And it should be noted that until 1913 US Senators were elected by their respective state legislatures, not by direct election. And it should also be noted that the US president is not directly elected either and never has been.

Further, parliamentary procedures during the French Revolution and Napoleonic period in Great Britain were notoriously corrupt with 'pocket boroughs' and such.

Referring to the elections and governments of the French Revolution as examples of democracy is somewhat suspect, as the Terror did result from those governments as well as widespread corruption, inefficiency, and lawlessness until the formation of the Consulate.