Doug Ford vs Toronto...
This doesn't seem to want to end. So, here we are again. Another political post. Again, I will try and offer alternatives rather than simply critiquing everything.
Doug Ford, using his powers as premier of Ontario to specifically Toronto, and in the fashion he is doing so is wrong.
Many of his supporters simply like to point out that he has the authority to do this. Which, it appears, it totally true. But, just as those same supporters are fully capable of say, committing suicide... doesn't mean that they should. In short, simply having the power to do something is not sufficient justification for the action.
What people supporting this don't seem to get is the precedent. You now have a provincial government which has directly interfered in privately run businesses and bypassed democratic processes. If this becomes the norm the province will become completely unstable. This IS NOT the way to govern.
So, as stated, I'm not here simply to whine and shout how much I hate it. I totally disagree. BUT, it seems that there are a great many people who do agree. And, since I believe in democracy, I can concede that my feeling something doesn't make it right. In a democracy it is the will of the majority which should govern. If the majority feel like Toronto's municipal government is a problem, then how does someone like myself feel like things should be handled?
Well, that is actually quite simple. First, start with some research. Making decisions without having spent the necessary time to try and understand the potential impacts is wrong. It doesn't even matter things fall into place. The right decision for the reasons is not the basis of a sound government. Eventually, that same government will make a catastrophic mistake which basic research would have helped avoid. Cheering over mindless decisions simply fuels the liklihood of such an outcome.
Secondly... use your power to provide generalized guidance. Targeting a single city? You're the freakin' Premier of the whole damn province. Start acting like it. Legislating how Toronto operates seems like a petty, vindictive attack that ignores the larger picture. With a bit of research, a generalized bill which governs how ALL municipalities structure and pay their members could still have the same effect on Toronto, but also provide the same "efficiencies" to the rest of the province, thus freeing up a FAR more meaningful amount of tax revenues for "the people".
Toronto is massive. But legislation that affects only Torontonian's and only at the municipal level does nothing for the Province as a whole. And it certainly doesn't aid in people's perception. A broader bill affecting all Ontario provinces on the other hand would show that Ford's interests expand beyond the borders of his home town. And, if Ford and the people supporting him are right, such legislation might actually prove him to be capable of delivering the goods.
Instead, we get a politician whose actions are hard to interpret as anything but petty and personal.
I'm sure Ontarians living in Toronto have a lot to say on the matter. But, if you live outside of that one city... how well represented do you feel? If you work for a municipal or provincial entity, how confident do you feel you will be fairly considered in any cost cutting measures by this government? If you run a business which affects a great number of Ontarian's and make a huge profit, how safe do you feel?
I'd also note the self serving side of this. Toronto, by and large voted against Ford. By reducing the number of ridings in this region, he has produced the Canadian equivalent of gerrymandering. He has roughly cut in half the voting power of one of the largest regions to vote against him.
FLY YOU FOOLS! FLY!
Doug Ford, using his powers as premier of Ontario to specifically Toronto, and in the fashion he is doing so is wrong.
Many of his supporters simply like to point out that he has the authority to do this. Which, it appears, it totally true. But, just as those same supporters are fully capable of say, committing suicide... doesn't mean that they should. In short, simply having the power to do something is not sufficient justification for the action.
What people supporting this don't seem to get is the precedent. You now have a provincial government which has directly interfered in privately run businesses and bypassed democratic processes. If this becomes the norm the province will become completely unstable. This IS NOT the way to govern.
So, as stated, I'm not here simply to whine and shout how much I hate it. I totally disagree. BUT, it seems that there are a great many people who do agree. And, since I believe in democracy, I can concede that my feeling something doesn't make it right. In a democracy it is the will of the majority which should govern. If the majority feel like Toronto's municipal government is a problem, then how does someone like myself feel like things should be handled?
Well, that is actually quite simple. First, start with some research. Making decisions without having spent the necessary time to try and understand the potential impacts is wrong. It doesn't even matter things fall into place. The right decision for the reasons is not the basis of a sound government. Eventually, that same government will make a catastrophic mistake which basic research would have helped avoid. Cheering over mindless decisions simply fuels the liklihood of such an outcome.
Secondly... use your power to provide generalized guidance. Targeting a single city? You're the freakin' Premier of the whole damn province. Start acting like it. Legislating how Toronto operates seems like a petty, vindictive attack that ignores the larger picture. With a bit of research, a generalized bill which governs how ALL municipalities structure and pay their members could still have the same effect on Toronto, but also provide the same "efficiencies" to the rest of the province, thus freeing up a FAR more meaningful amount of tax revenues for "the people".
Toronto is massive. But legislation that affects only Torontonian's and only at the municipal level does nothing for the Province as a whole. And it certainly doesn't aid in people's perception. A broader bill affecting all Ontario provinces on the other hand would show that Ford's interests expand beyond the borders of his home town. And, if Ford and the people supporting him are right, such legislation might actually prove him to be capable of delivering the goods.
Instead, we get a politician whose actions are hard to interpret as anything but petty and personal.
I'm sure Ontarians living in Toronto have a lot to say on the matter. But, if you live outside of that one city... how well represented do you feel? If you work for a municipal or provincial entity, how confident do you feel you will be fairly considered in any cost cutting measures by this government? If you run a business which affects a great number of Ontarian's and make a huge profit, how safe do you feel?
I'd also note the self serving side of this. Toronto, by and large voted against Ford. By reducing the number of ridings in this region, he has produced the Canadian equivalent of gerrymandering. He has roughly cut in half the voting power of one of the largest regions to vote against him.
FLY YOU FOOLS! FLY!
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