“The people's good is the highest law.”

Marcus Tullius Cicero

“The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.”

Thomas Jefferson

Americans have long treasured their right to vote. African Americans, Native Americans, Women and immigrants have all fought long and costly battles to obtain this right. The American Revolution was fought because Americans wanted representation and they wanted their voice to matter.

With all this in mind, is it any surprise that there is a recall initiative currently underway against El Paso Mayor John Cook and City Councilpersons Ortega and Byrd for their decision to willfully ignore the voice of the people and restore domestic partner benefits to city employees?

Regardless of where you fall on this issue, it was put forth to the citizens of El Paso and was legally voted upon by those citizens. Should the domestic partners of city employees receive city benefits? By a vote of 55 to 45, the city of El Paso said no. By vote, by law, and by the voice of the people, we the citizens of El Paso said no.

By vote, by law and by the voice of the people, we the citizens of El Paso made our desires clear. By vote and by law, we the citizens of El Paso demand our voice be heard. By vote and by law, we the citizens of El Paso demand our representatives recognize our voice and in their duties reflect the will of the people.

The time for compromise and the time for forgiveness have long since passed. The voice of the people has been ignored. Regardless of your beliefs, the people have spoken, and if you’re asked to sign a recall petition you should do so without hesitation. When you are asked to make your voice heard, do so at the top of your lungs, and when you’re asked to make your voice recognized, do so to your dying breath.

Our right to vote and our right to have that vote heard encompass all we hold dear in this life. Without these rights, we are little better than our ancient counterparts and less so than our modern tyrannical contemporaries. We were great once, let us be great again.