Second, has it ever occured to you that the United Nations is the most pure example of a full small-r republican governing body the world has ever seen?

Why does that matter? There are scores of governments participating in this “republican” government that are corrupt or cruel and their subjects suffer greatly. To say that it’s ok that Zimbabwe or Iran gets the same vote as Spain or Australia because we’re witnessing “pure republican governing” is moral weakness at its best. The U.S. government is far from perfect but there are many, many governments that get a seat at the table in the UN who do far more despotic things. To preach otherwise, while you live in the safety of a democratic country where genuine protest is allowed, is repulsive.