Was Rome better off as an 'empire' than as a republic?

Rome was better off as a republic. The common people had more say in the government then when it was an Empire, practically being ruled by a dictator. The republic helped Rome grow and expand. It soon became the most powerful country in the world, by conquering other powerful countries. As they conquered more land, the generals and politicians became more powerful in the government. These people became obsessed with having more and more power, which took power away from the common people. Rome becoming an Empire took all of the power away from the common people and gave it to the generals, politicians, and other authority figures that wanted power.