Toronto Cannot Afford Rob Ford As Mayor

[C0LLETTE]

Originally Posted by Paradox

Who voted for this idiot are the same people who are the 1%.
Despite all the hype the media represents of Toronto to the world, the city is very conservative (similar to republican).

His followers with $$$ push agendas and clearly can get away not being responsible to the public to which they serve. Plus sadly to their favour two things are happening;
1) People are complacent
2) They really aren't any 'shining' stars to replace him.

I am not a bleeding heart type myself, but I do think a little common sense will help in a big way.
Then again common sense is just not common anymore.

If you'll forgive me, I'm not so sure.
If his constituency were the 1%, he'd never get elected.

I think he goes for a much wider constituency: he panders to the "little guy", the working poor, the "marginalised " and the prejudiced, people that hate all the "thems".

He's a classic demagogue. He never actually does anything for "the people" but he poses as their champion, as just another working stiff even though he's a multimillionaire. He hands out $20 bills when he visits a housing project for photo opportunities. With a wink and a nod, he makes reference to "Orientals being hard workers " and refuses to attend Pride .

Yes, he wants to slash taxes but I suspect the 1% wishes he would just disappear: not because they disagree with him but, rather, because he's become an embarrassing distraction on a wider stage and they'd like to get back to business.

Also, not to be forgotten, George Smitherman, his opponent, was gay. Toronto may host a huge Pride but the veneer is thin and not just amongst the 1%.

[Paradox]

Yes he packaged himself well. And sold his BS to many (hence complacency amongst the masses). He needed the first layer- votes to win but the 1% are generally the decision and policy makers - this is not new. What is worrisome - the increasing disparity of between the extremes resulting in less support of and less criticism from the 98%. It took his embarrassing behaviour of 1% to generate action. The claims were there all along, but until it affected the ‘few’ nothing was done.

He sold a bag of goods (demagogue) and now the city is paying for it. Nothing new this happens with many politicians. George Smitherman another example if I recall correctly was responsible for implementing e-health system that was a disaster (I may have the specifics wrong - this was before I arrived to the city). I wouldn’t vote for Smitherman (something about his character), but for most people his lost was because he is gay. Nothing more. So much for having strong convictions or beliefs. It can be tossed just on premise of orientation. The Human condition.

I agree Toronto has a thin veneer. However more and more of that veneer is not being created or generated by the working class.

I don’t blame the man he got away with it as long as he has. No one to blame really but ourselves. Our system has become more about bureaucratic policies, then accountability. More short sight then long term view. This will repeat itself with whoever else is in power.

[EnderD_503]

Holy crap, other people in Toronto here these days... lol

Anyways, was very happy to see Olivia Chow is now officially in the running. Hopefully we'll be rid of Ford for good after this election.