We are a Republic. I don't know what else to say. It's just a fact.
Now, as you may have noticed, every November, citizens to to a "polling place" and they participate in "elections". They "vote". This is a democratic mechanism that we use in this country to make some decisions and to elect certain representatives.
The fact that we allow citizens to vote, as a democratic mechanism, does not alter the fact that we are a Republic. We do not live by mob rule.
If I say we are a Republic and if I say that people vote, I am not contradicting myself. Don't be a pea wit.
But you are contradicting yourself.
In post #189 you describe the electoral process of a Representative Republic.
But in post #174 you describe a pure democratic simple majority rules process that ignores or defies the interests of many interested parties.
And that’s what unilateral secession is - one party ignoring everything, obligations, responsibilities, and duties - except for its own self-interests.
That’s why it’s been ruled unconstitutional.