G. Bridger Kimball: ‘The minority controls the majority’

“The minority controls the majority:” In America, this is a sad, pathetic truth. But it does not have to be this way. We can change this. Together we can take back this city and country from the majority elected by only microscopic fractions of registered voters. The majority must control the minority or our system of government fails. It fails at every level: national, state and local.

Consider this: When asked, most Americans would say we live in a democracy. This is incorrect. The United States is a constitutionally based federal republic with strong democratic traditions. Pure democracies do not work. Never have. Time after time throughout history, attempts at pure democracy have led to rebellion, turmoil and finally dictatorships with hard tyranny where mad tyrants oppress the individual, slay rivals and threats, and implement systems of isolationism that ensure absolute, autocratic rule.

Our form of government is a Representative Democracy, more commonly referred to as a Representative Republic. We elect heads of state and representatives to enforce the fundamental truths set forth in the Constitution of the United States, the charters and constitutions of each state in the republic and each city and town in those states. We elect our peers to act as officials–heads of state and representatives–to insure the dignity of the individual; “that we, as human beings, have a right to live, live freely, and pursue that which motivates us not because man or some government says so, but because this is our American birthright.”

My grandfather gave his life defending this concept. Three of my father’s four uncles died defending this form of government as well. Every single person who has ever worn the uniform of the military, law enforcement agency or firefighting company has or does so to preserve our Representative Republic. Thousands more without uniforms labor tirelessly day in and day out, week after week, month after month, often away from their families on holidays, and in harm’s way to preserve our way of life, our representative republic with strong democratic traditions.

Unfortunately, the minority currently controls the majority because far too few of us exercise our constitutional right to vote. Simply stated, those who vote decide the fates of those who do not.

Each year, a small minority of registered voters go to polls to make their selections, add their voices to become the majority. Far more citizens do not even bother to register to vote. The right to vote is such a significant right that it is one of the first rights–often only one of two constitutionally guaranteed rights–stripped of all convicted felons. Yet, year after year, those of us law-abiding, peace-loving, hard-working individuals voluntarily give up this fundamental right.

In 2008 Maricopa had 12,700 registered voters. Only 1,200 turned out to vote in the city election that year. Only 9 percent of all registered voters even bothered to show up. In that election, the minority truly controlled the majority, and we are now living with the consequences.

In a civil society such as ours, the individual must be recognized and acknowledged as more than a statistic or faceless member of some group. We are unique and spiritual beings with souls and conscience. We are free to discover our own potential and pursue our own legitimate interests. Of course, temper this by a moral order that has foundation in faith and the prudent exercise of personal judgment.

Without a current accurate census, I estimate we have approximately 35,000 citizens living in Maricopa. Using that as a baseline, only 35 percent of us are registered voters. Why? Is it apathy? Is it an overwhelming feeling that one solitary, individual vote will not count? Are some of us too comfortable in the routine of our daily lives to understand that civic responsibility requires commitment and action? Is it laziness? Remember, one single vote, one person exercising their constitutional right in the voting booth, can and more often than you may realize, has changed history, the course of human events. But it takes effort, doesn’t it?

Lately many of us have scrutinized–criticized–our current elected officials. Many of us criticizing our local government did not even vote in the last election. More of us did not even register to vote. Yet, we all have voices, opinions, ideas and concepts to make this a better place to live and work. Clearly, we are the majority, yet we relinquished control to the minority. Do not let this happen again. Do something about it. If you have not registered to vote, just do it. If you are registered but find it inconvenient to visit your polling place on March 9, if you don’t have transportation to register and/or vote, contact me or any one of my campaign team members. My campaign team will make Maricopa Stage Coach available to you with one-day advance notice. We’ll make sure you have transportation to register, and we will make sure you get to your polling place on Election Day. No strings attached.

You know I’m running for a seat on our city council and welcome your vote. But that is not the issue. Your vote for someone is the issue. Cast it for whomever you believe will do the best job for you and our community. And remember, we cannot hold steadfast much longer to our city, state or national cultures and traditions–our very way of life–without your voice being heard. Get involved now before it’s too late. Take pride in your constitutional right to vote. Register. In March, go to your polling place and let your voice be heard. Together we can make the necessary changes to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Maricopa.

Listen, we can no longer afford to have only 1,200 individuals deciding the quality of life, the very fates and futures of 35,000 citizens of Maricopa. We can no longer afford to have the minority controlling the majority. Find a candidate you believe in and vote for that person, whether it’s me, or one of the other fine citizens running for city government. Register. Vote. Be heard.

G. Bridger Kimball

(G. Bridger Kimball is a candidate for Maricopa City Council, a former US Marine and a graduate of the Maricopa Leadership Academy.)

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