Toronto Cannot Afford Rob Ford As Mayor

[betenoire]

I don't live in Toronto any more, so I get that I have no say. But I'd really love it if those of you who DO live in Toronto or have friends in Toronto would spread the word.

This guy is everything that Toronto isn't. Why WHY WHY would he want to be Mayor? He hates immigrants, he hates public transit, he hates the homeless, he hates social spending, he hates the Queer community.

http://www.torontocannotafford.com/

[suebee]

Wow! Is this guy for real? I really wouldn't expect that kind of candidate in Toronto. Does he have a following? Do you know where he is in the polls?

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by suebee

Wow! Is this guy for real? I really wouldn't expect that kind of candidate in Toronto. Does he have a following? Do you know where he is in the polls?

Well, see I don't even know. Every article I have been able to find that is RECENT says he's ahead in the polls - but I have such a hard time believing that.

Plus, even the Toronto Sun newspaper hates him - and you KNOW that newspaper is staffed entirely by right-wing dirtbags who write at a 6th grade level. So I just don't know where these polls are coming from - I just hope that they're wrong.

I mean, his weirdo plan to rip out all the streetcar tracks ALONE is completely asinine. What the hell is he thinking?

[Corkey]

Sounds like a right wing teabagger to me. Please don't send him our way.

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I don't live in Toronto any more, so I get that I have no say. But I'd really love it if those of you who DO live in Toronto or have friends in Toronto would spread the word.

This guy is everything that Toronto isn't. Why WHY WHY would he want to be Mayor? He hates immigrants, he hates public transit, he hates the homeless, he hates social spending, he hates the Queer community.

http://www.torontocannotafford.com/

I've been trying to figure this out since he's taken a significant lead in the polls. I don't understand how a city with an immigrant majority supports a guy who has spoken out against immigration and immigrants.

There's been a hell of a lot of controversy in the paper over these elections, particularly over Ford's record. Part of the problem is that the two primary candidates, Ford and Smitherman, both have histories of substance abuse (among other things for Ford) and neither are the most likeable candidates in the world. However, Smitherman is still a billion times better than Ford, so I'll be voting for him solely so that Ford doesn't get into office.

Smitherman was leading the polls significantly in the spring and early summer, but recently support for Ford seems to have exploaded, and I don't know why. In a way I think the media hype over Ford's criminal past (susbtance abuse, DUIs, threatening his wife etc.), as well as his outrageous policies has brought up his popularity in the polls, to the point where it has overshadowed Smitherman's campaign. I sometimes wonder how the hell they conduct these polls though, seems like no one I've spoken to actually likes Ford, so I don't understand how he came to lead the polls so drastically when everyone, including the papers, hates him.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Smitherman was leading the polls significantly in the spring and early summer, but recently support for Ford seems to have exploaded, and I don't know why.

I THINK what happened is that when Mammoliti dropped out of the race, because he decided to endorce Ford (which is SO fucked - since Ford called Mammoliti a "Gino" - who the fuck would endorse someone who called you a racist name?) people who were planning to vote for Mammoliti are now planning to vote for Ford?

I also think that what is going on is that the "asshole vote" is ALL going to Ford, and the "everybody else vote" is split between the other candidates. I mean, that's how the fucking Conservatives got into power in this country in the first place. All of the assholes voted Conservative, and the rest of us split our votes between the NDP, Liberals, Bloc, etc.

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I THINK what happened is that when Mammoliti dropped out of the race, because he decided to endorce Ford (which is SO fucked - since Ford called Mammoliti a "Gino" - who the fuck would endorse someone who called you a racist name?) people who were planning to vote for Mammoliti are now planning to vote for Ford?

I also think that what is going on is that the "asshole vote" is ALL going to Ford, and the "everybody else vote" is split between the other candidates. I mean, that's how the fucking Conservatives got into power in this country in the first place. All of the assholes voted Conservative, and the rest of us split our votes between the NDP, Liberals, Bloc, etc.

True, but part of what annoys me about the situation is that what saved Canada from a Conservative majority was the Toronto/southern Ontario vote, and now we're set to vote in Harper's twin. It doesn't make sense. Then again, they barely poll over 1000 people at once, so hopefully they've been doing their polling in places like Royal York, Rosedale and other wealthy areas of the city, and doesn't actually reflect what's going on in the rest of the city. One can only hope... I really hope the "every body else vote" comes to its senses and rallies behind Smitherman for all our sakes. We're pretty much fucked otherwise. If Ford gets in it'll be like Mike Harris all over again with the rest of Ontario exempt from the lunacy.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Then again, they barely poll over 1000 people at once, so hopefully they've been doing their polling in places like Royal York, Rosedale and other wealthy areas of the city, and doesn't actually reflect what's going on in the rest of the city.

Ah, that hadn't occurred to me. They should be required to poll by neighborhood and post the polls in that manner. You know "Rosedale loves him, Parkdale thinks he's a shitstick."

<3 Parkdale <3

[EnderD_503]

A few days ago Sarah Thomson dropped out to back Smitherman. She asked all those who would have voted for her to back Smitherman, and that she believed not allowing Ford to win was important in order to safeguard the city's future.

Honestly, I wish such support were behind Pantalone or Thomson herself, but at this point it's still "anyone's better than Ford."

Toronto mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson was welcomed at George Smitherman's campaign headquarters Tuesday after she dropped her bid for the city's top job and endorsed her former rival.

Polls in recent months have suggested Thomson is lagging well behind front-runners Rob Ford and Smitherman. She said at a morning news conference she was ending her bid because she didn't want Ford to be elected.

Ford "is going to basically destroy transit. He doesn't care about the social issues that George Smitherman cares about," she told reporters at the former provincial cabinet minister's headquarters after her announcement.

"I got to say, you know, at the end of the day, we have to look at the future of Toronto. To me that's the most important thing and I would trust Toronto in George Smitherman's hands."

"To each his own," Ford said in response to Thomson's comments.

"I will guarantee I will be right in there to the very end and I’m looking forward to it. ... I can’t really explain why Sarah’s doing what she’s doing, but I wish her all the best."

Smitherman, who opinion polls suggest is running second in the race, has said he's the only candidate who can stop Ford.
Pantalone, Rossi continue campaigns

The two other leading candidates, Coun. Joe Pantalone and Rocco Rossi, said they have no plans to follow Thomson's lead and drop out of the race.

Rossi said he believes many of the people who were going to vote for Thomson will now support him.

"Now I'm the only true outside business leader running against a slate of political insiders that don't represent real change for the City of Toronto," he said.

Pantalone said the election is still a month away and a lot can change in that time. He said he's the only candidate not calling for significant budget cuts.

"I feel optimistic," he said. "Let the campaign continue. This is just another step in this journey."

Thomson joined the race In January to replace outgoing Mayor David Miller. She quit her job as publisher of Women's Post magazine to jump into the race.

Less than a week ago, Thomson's campaign team played down reports that she was considering ending her run for mayor. They said she wouldn't stop campaigning, despite published reports suggesting she was considering withdrawing to stop Ford from winning.

Thomson's name will remain on the ballot for the Oct. 25 vote.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/sto...son-mayor.html

[C0LLETTE]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I don't live in Toronto any more, so I get that I have no say. But I'd really love it if those of you who DO live in Toronto or have friends in Toronto would spread the word.

This guy is everything that Toronto isn't. Why WHY WHY would he want to be Mayor? He hates immigrants, he hates public transit, he hates the homeless, he hates social spending, he hates the Queer community.

http://www.torontocannotafford.com/

It's rather neat to go back and see this convo from 2010 about Rob Ford.

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I don't live in Toronto any more, so I get that I have no say. But I'd really love it if those of you who DO live in Toronto or have friends in Toronto would spread the word.

This guy is everything that Toronto isn't. Why WHY WHY would he want to be Mayor? He hates immigrants, he hates public transit, he hates the homeless, he hates social spending, he hates the Queer community.

http://www.torontocannotafford.com/

Your preaching to the choir! I don't know a soul who wants him to represent our city. I didn't like him from the beginning.

Unfortunately he's got quite the following.

[C0LLETTE]

Originally Posted by Rolo

Your preaching to the choir! I don't know a soul who wants him to represent our city. I didn't like him from the beginning.

Unfortunately he's got quite the following.

What I found interesting was that these posts were being made in 2010. Prescient? You bet!

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by C0LLETTE

What I found interesting was that these posts were being made in 2010. Prescient? You bet!

I just caught that now... Very interesting

[Wintermoon]

OK,

There's something shady going on when:
1) A 2 year old bully in an addicts body with another Bully supporting him, can do anything they want, say anything they want, act anyway they want and still manage to be in office.

Brings back the old conversations about the Hells Angels and other gangs being in charge of the political and legal system enough that they can wander around free.

So , Who is supporting Ford as the other post stated, probably not immigrants (( the majority of Toronto)) unless its the Chinese mafia. Probably not law abiding working non drug using Canadians who have morals. Probably not the queer community. Probably not the Italian mafia ( they don't like people who pretend they have bigger body parts). So who has the real power?
Who is it this man relies on for protection and support to behave this way?

But the system kicks out prescription marijuana using Mounties. Go figure.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Wintermoon

OK,

There's something shady going on when:
1) A 2 year old bully in an addicts body with another Bully supporting him, can do anything they want, say anything they want, act anyway they want and still manage to be in office.

Hmmmmmm, sounds like Chris Christie!

Ok, so things aren't clear yet on what happened, but the bullying part is for certain accurate!

[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.

[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%.