Why Are We Still in the United Nations?

“We should get the hell out of that kangaroo court and let it sink.” – Gov. Ronald Reagan of California in 1972, referring to the United Nations

Fifty-two years later, let me be the first to say that “the Gipper” was right!

Yes, the United Nations, a once grand experiment dedicated to international peace, has long since devolved into the aforementioned kangaroo court. And yes, the United States should cancel its U.N. membership ASAP.

If we do, just like Ronald Reagan predicted, the United Nations will go belly-up for several all-too-obvious reasons.

First, the United States remains the largest donor to the United Nations. It contributed more than $12 billion in 2021, accounting for just under one-fifth of funding for the body's collective budget… despite there being 192 other member nations.

In 2023, the United Nations assessed the United States’ share of the regular budget at 22% and its share of the peacekeeping budget at 27%. However, since Congress caps contributions to the peacekeeping budget at 25%, the U.S. is technically in arrears.

Should we pay up… or tell the U.N. to go take a flying flip into the East River? I vote for the latter option.

After all, here is the current breakdown of our support of the United Nations, compliments of the American taxpayer…

• 51.4% of the World Food Program budget to help feed 72 million people in 82 countries.*

• 17.1% of the United Nations Children’s Fund budget to feed, vaccinate, educate and protect children in 162 countries.*

• 14.1% of the United Nations Development Program core budget to eradicate poverty and encourage democratic governance.*

• 25.8% of the International Atomic Energy Agency budget to ensure safe and peaceful application of nuclear energy and prevent the illicit use of nuclear material for weapons.**

• 22% of the World Health Organization core budget as well as significant voluntary resources, helping to prevent and control epidemics and to improve standards of health.**

• 25% of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees budget to help protect refugees and facilitate their return home or re-settlement in another country.*

• 25% of the International Civil Aviation Organization budget to ensure safe, efficient and economical air travel.**

* These programs operate strictly on voluntary contributions.

** These programs operate on a combination of assessed and voluntary contributions.

Do you feel like gagging? I sure do. I am also mad as a hornet that an international body that owes its very existence – and ongoing livelihood – to the United States continues to thumb it’s collective nose at Uncle Sam every chance it gets.

Meanwhile, the price of New York City commercial real estate sells for a median price of $596 per square foot, although the 370,000 square foot office complex at 701 Seventh Avenue recently sold for $925 million or $2,500 per square foot. That means that the 890,000 square foot United Nations building is worth $540 billion… plus an untold amount in NYC property taxes.

It’s time to give the U.N. the boot!