Out in Left-Centre Field

Apparently, in Mayor Rob Ford's idea of Toronto, toadyism trumps competence.

It's true, the TTC needs major improvement and Toronto needs more subways, but that is no excuse for such a blatantly ideological and political move. Firing general manager Gary Webster might be legal, but that does not make it right.

In fact, Webster's termination is emblematic of the Ford administration's entire approach to governance.

Apparently, for hardline ideologues so concerned with black-and-white issues of right and wrong, having the audacity to demonstrate independence and a conscience is a mortal sin. Fealty to the all-encompassing "mandate" is now the yardstick of one's character (never mind all that unimportant stuff like actually being good at one's job).

Maybe, before this episode, even as a leftist, I was prepared to give Ford and his administration the benefit of the doubt. I thought, hell, they're just trying to improve Toronto the way they think is best. How bad can it really get? I was prepared to be tolerant, to look past the chorus of voices claiming that the sky was about to fall -- to maybe, just maybe, accept the concept that Rob Ford and his allies were fit to lead.

No more. They are the farthest thing from it.

For starters, there's the act of casually firing the people who disagree with you. In reality, democracy is all about disagreement and debate in the process of assembling the best solution to a problem. If you start purging anyone who refuses to be a yes-man, what will remain? Mayor Ford and his slavish cronies clearly don't give a flying hint of a damn as to figuring out the best option -- they just want to advance their preferred option above any others, and apparently anyone who disagrees has no business even participating at all.

So now you're thinking "Well, didn't leftists do it too? What about that commie Miller and his gang?" You know what? It's wrong when left-wingers do it, just like it's wrong when right-wingers do it and when centrists do it. The so-called Responsible Government Group cried the blues (and rightly so) whenever it was done by the last administration -- but oh no, now that they're the ones in power, suddenly it's The Right Thing To Do For The Future Of Toronto^(TM).

And the exalted mandate? Every time someone speaks out against the Ford administration's plans and ideas, they mindlessly repeat that they "have a mandate" and can do whatever they please. Meanwhile, the citizens of Toronto have only had their unadulterated say on Ford all of once, and the next time they can even try will be more than two years from now. Their opinions can change en masse at any time, but based on a single vote back in 2010, Mayor Ford and his allies feel they have the right to do what they want, whenever they want, to whoever they want, with no checks or balances whatsoever for four years straight.

Does this all sound like someone who actually respects the democracy that put them in power?

Mayor Ford and his allies (and opponents) were elected fair and square, so to an extent, they have the advantages afforded by victory. But if democracy is to be any more than just a word, politicians of all levels and stripes have a constant responsibility to listen and govern based on the present and not just the past.

I get that Mayor Ford, his administration and his allies are angry. They have been defied. They have been inconvenienced. They have been opposed. But without opposition, all we are left with is dictatorship. Democracy is always messy, and sometimes people can do things that we don't like. But instead of coming to the table to resolve the differences, Mayor Ford and his followers have decided to throw a complete temper tantrum to get their way at all costs (and the consequences be damned).

I get that the stock and trade of today's neoconservatives is anger. It motivates their supporters, it serves as a driving force, and to some extent, it is a legitimate response to the otherwise moderate-to-progressive outlook of the rest of Canada. Anger is a base emotion, but it is how we handle it that shows who we are as civilized, intelligent human beings.

What a waste. What a waste of talented individuals, thrown aside because their views are inconvenient to those in power. What a waste of Torontonians' votes, when they thought they were getting new, responsible representatives and instead got bullies and sycophants of the lowest calibre. What a waste of time, funds, energy and effort at a time when Toronto is far behind real world-class cities in building modern and adequate civil infrastructure.

What an utter waste, when what we need is real, courageous, inclusive leadership.