It's only "free stuff" from the "US Government" (as per the picture) if the federal government pays for it, yes.
If they had, the very next day, Handmaids would have been legislated into existence. By executive order, of course.
Does the Republic of North Korea act like a Republic? Pretty sure our "States" act like "States", that's why they're called "States".
The Commonwealths of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia disagree! Also, the California Republic!
Well, in a manner of speaking. There are very few dictatorships anymore that actually say "this is a dictatorship and I'm the dictator, so fuck you." Nearly all of them wrap themselves in the cloak of republicanism and go through the motions of elections, representation, etc., even when -- as in North Korea's case -- only one candidate is allowed per office and there are severe consequences for doing anything other than showing up at the polls and checking the boxes next to the pre-approved names.