I never cease to be amazed by the brilliance of the framers of the US Constitution and the way the document has stood the test of time. One such feature, lead by James Madison, was the bicameral (two branches) structure of the legislative branch. By contrast, the RCSC has a unicameral legislative branch. Much of the intent of the bicameral legislature was to provide more checks and balances and to prevent oppression of the minority by special interest groups or populous states. Thus, in the Senate, tiny Rhode Island, has equal representation to California, New York, etc. Now back to Sun City. The golf voting and special interest group is a powerful voting block that is oppressing the minority clubs such that they are taking a disproportionate amount (The BP $40 million) of funding. Do I blame them? Not at all, nor do I hold any animosity. They are working the system to serve their interest and, frankly, shame on the rest of Sun City who sits on the sidelines and passively lets it happen by not voting, attending meetings, or effectuating change. It really is pathetic that approximately 95% don’t even vote. Now back to James Madison. In my fantasyland, I imagine a second legislative branch of the RCSC, where each club has one vote. Appropriations and other matters would need to pass both branches. Certainly this structure would provide more balance among the clubs and balance the one voting block oppressing the community. Sun City is broken, has no long term vision, and no longer serves the best interests of current retirees...with the gap widening with each passing day.
The Senate was never intended to represent the population of the United States, which is the beauty of the system. Can you imagine the fate of rural America if the 15 most populous States ran the country without any checks and balances? Is it perfect? Far from it. But more perfect than the alternative. But, alas, this thread is not about US politics. Let us not get sidetracked.
Agree and understand the intent of our founding fathers..... my point was only to say that a small number should not control the whole.
RCSC is unique, a mandatory non equity club membership. We use the facilities without a great deal of thought as to the operation. As long as everything works most of us are happy. I have to include myself in that. But even in equity membership clubs not voting is a problem. (In a club I belong to I was once pulled off the golf course to make the quorum number). The simplest answer is transparency. Video the meetings, put them on the RCSC website, both live and archived. Make it easy for member involvement.
