Phil Orenstein

From Ancient Sparta to Franklin: the duty of citizens is to use our greatest power in this historic election

By Phil Orenstein

We are all familiar with the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence, which proclaim that to secure the unalienable rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” In plain terms, governments exist to protect the rights of the people and derive their power only from the people’s authority. That is why we vote.

In 1787, on the final day of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked as he left Independence Hall what form of government the founders had created. “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” a lady asked. Franklin replied, “A republic—if you can keep it.” More than two centuries later, it is our responsibility as American citizens to keep it. That is why we vote.

Voting is our power. If we fail to exercise it, we give up our greatest power as citizens. And for us New Yorkers, in the midst of the most consequential election in our city’s history, that power is more urgent than ever.

But we must not vote blindly, by habit, by party, or by narrow self-interest. Voting is not about what government can hand out, or which side can shout the loudest. It is a civic right and solemn responsibility, grounded in the legacy of Western Civilization—from the citizenship of ancient Greece, to the rule of law under Rome, the Italian Renaissance, the Glorious Revolution of England and the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, and the vision of our Founding Fathers. We vote to uphold freedom of speech, individual rights, and religious liberty. To keep our republic, we must vote, and we must vote wisely.

That requires being informed. We must know the background, character, and policies of the candidates. Go to civic meetings, forums, and debates. Study their platforms on our schools, taxes, public safety, quality of life, the “City of Yes” zoning schemes threatening neighborhoods, the crushing cost of living, and, most importantly, our freedom and dignity. Do their policies strengthen families and communities, or do they undermine them?

Government draws its power from the people who vote. Through voting, we shape a government in our own image. It is not meant to be a shallow popularity contest. Mamdani may be articulate with a pleasant smile, but his policies are socialist fantasies unmoored from reality. Cuomo may have a commanding presence and a silver tongue, but his record reveals a manipulative man who inflicted suffering on millions of New Yorkers. We must see through appearances and hold fast to substance.

Some dismiss voting as unimportant, but it is the foundation of our republic. In Australia, citizens are fined if they fail to vote. In America, it remains a free choice—but our freedom is preserved only when we exercise it. The progressive elites, with their wealthy patrons and media allies, want us to stay home while they mobilize their followers. They belittle Curtis Sliwa, the only candidate who truly fights for ordinary New Yorkers, sneering that he is too unsophisticated to win. But their condescension reveals their weakness. They are terrified of regular citizens rising up to take back their city.

Curtis represents the people. He is not controlled by the powerful or the wealthy. He is a true New Yorker, one of us. He knows that government must remain in the hands of the citizens—and that power rests with the ballot.

In the last mayoral election, turnout was a meager 21%. In earlier elections, more than half of the voters came out to the polls. This time we can do much better—and if we do, we will win.

Defeatism is the enemy’s greatest weapon. In politics, as in war or sports, you cannot go in believing you’ve already lost. The enemy wants you to feel beaten before the contest even begins. Don’t believe it. The pundits swore Trump would lose, yet Trump 45 and 47 prevailed.

We the people must believe Mamdani can be defeated, and Curtis can win. Victory depends on citizens who refuse to surrender. Attend meetings and fundraisers, talk to your neighbors, hand out literature, display signs, knock on doors, vote early, and help others get to the polls.

In a free society, we must keep fighting—fighting for America, and now for New York City. And fighting means voting.

This is our fight. Curtis Sliwa is fighting for us, just as King Leonidas of Sparta stood with 300 warriors against the vast Persian army at Thermopylae in 480 BC to save Greece and Western Civilization. As one sage put it, “The Spartans didn’t just conquer their enemies, they conquered themselves first.”

We must be the Spartans in this battle for New York City. Never retreat. Never surrender. As King Leonidas declared:

“Spartans never retreat! Spartans never surrender! Go spread the word. Let every Greek assembled know the truth of this. Let each among them search his own soul. And while you’re at it, search your own.”

Now is the time. Believe, fight, and get out and vote.

Phil Orenstein, President of the Queens Village Republican Club, America’s oldest Republican Club.