This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
We, the people of Utah, are empowered to make a genuine and nationally visible stand against Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The Utah Primaries show only 16 percent of Utahns voted for Trump or Clinton, with both losing by overwhelming majorities.
Nowadays, many intimidate us to betray our consciences and comply with party authority, to avoid the election of our "most loathed candidate." It reeks of party bosses, and a completely blatant top-down political structure, the monarchical, communistic and fascist.
But what use is our great American expansion of voting rights if we are pressured into supporting a candidate only 16 percent of us initially wanted? This is no better than restricting voting to free, wealthy, white males, or elites selecting a king with severely corrupt back-room deals.
The Constitution guarantees every state a representative form of government. Robbed of this, we have been force-fed falsehoods that we must accept our political surroundings. However, the Declaration of Independence affirms that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
There lies the terrible truth. Our consent has led us here. By acceptance, or more likely inaction, we have enabled oppressive powers to temporarily prevail, with no moral or reasonable excuse. Our submission stems not from fear for our lives, nor from threats to revoke our political or religious expression. Our choice of ignorance and idleness is to blame, and thus, ultimately us.
In 1940, Americans, self-content, carelessly appeased the tyrannical powers of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, and prolonged the torturous slaughter of millions of innocent souls. Not until the deceptive, perilous attack on Pearl Harbor did they act. And despite history remembering them as the "Greatest Generation," many assuredly felt there existed no power strong enough to redeem them of their initial neglect of the voiceless.
However, it's never too late to do the right thing. I concede a third-party candidate obtaining a majority of electoral college votes is doubtful, but another presidential path remains. The Constitution stipulates if no candidate receives a majority, the House selects from the top three candidates. Therefore, if a third-party candidate wins only one state, and keeps either mainstream party from achieving a majority, such third-party candidate could become president.
But whether the House will elect a third-party candidate doesn't alter our duty to take a stand as a state. And whether our preferred candidate will win the state of Utah doesn't alter our duty to take a stand as individuals. Utah is perfect to rise up, collectively and personally, because 84 percent of us wanted another, and our Electoral College votes are fewer. Even if it weren't already too high a moral risk to discard our consciences, it's certainly not too high a political risk.
Now if you're truly loyal to another alternative candidate, I support you in that endeavor, but if you've still not found your ideal candidate, I firmly recommend Evan McMullin.
McMullin, an independent, conservative, presidential candidate, like many of us, hoped that our final mainstream-party candidates would be at least decent, and at most exceptional and, also like many of us, was sorely disappointed. Unlike the severely corrupt mainstream-party candidates, McMullin dedicated his career to greater service, serving as a religious missionary, a Volunteer Refugee Officer, and for a decade, a CIA counter-terrorism operative in the Middle East. Afterwards, he earned a top-tier MBA, and most recently served as senior adviser for the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Astoundingly few Americans match the selflessness desired, and preparation required, to responsibly act as leader of the free world in today's era. His political views are reasonable and understanding, being a compassionate conservative. In any interview, you will see his perceptive mind and receptive heart. I, a homegrown Utahn, irrefutably believe that more Utahns have a national and global vision more in line with his, than with any other candidate.
It doesn't matter if you believe more in being on the right side of the history of humanity, or care more about the angels above us who are silent notes taking, you have a grave moral responsibility to vote your conscience. Let us not disgrace the devoted millions, living and dead, who have labored to expand our liberty, nor the countless lives sacrificed for this holy cause.
We the people of Utah must be the political pioneers of the 21st century, and exercise our natural and God-given freedoms, uninfluenced by external pressure. We, rather, must be true to our hearts and our values, even if, and especially if, we stand alone.
Bjorn Jones lives in Sandy and is a student at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.