Rob Ford is Toronto’s Frankenstein Monster (and Why I May Vote For Him)
Frankenstein Monster/Zack Akukumba via Flickr (CC)
First, full disclosure:
Do I think that Rob Ford is a perfect mayoral candidate? No.
Do I endorse him for mayor? No.
Do I think that Rob Ford will be a decidedly better mayor, overall, than the other candidates? Probably not.
Will he be worse? Probably not.
Do I care who you vote for? No. It’s a free country. I respect your decision and will not judge you one bit.
I hope you feel the same, because I’m considering voting for Rob Ford.
On that note, a friend of mine recently voiced his opinion on the mayoral race over drinks in a crowded bar. He whispered them, though, because he believed that anyone overhearing him may equate his endorsement of Rob Ford to him being anything from a conservative at best to an imbecile and a racist at worst.
This caused me to ask the question: since when does who you vote for define your intelligence and/or stances on all social and political issues?
I suppose it’s just easier to compartmentalize people based on their voting choices in an effort to understand their opinions, thoughts, ideas and, apparently, social status. In reality, however, in the same way that race and religion do not define a person, supporting a specific party or candidate in an election does not qualify you as harbouring all of their ideals. As well, it certainly does not make you more or less educated than someone voting for another candidate.
Unfortunately, it’s a challenge to pick up a paper or turn on the news in this city without someone in the media questioning how anyone in their right mind could vote for Ford. And, evidently, the idea is greeted with such indignation in day-to-day life that some now feel the need to lower their voice before speaking about it. While the notion of voting for Ford is viewed by many as almost tantamount to voting for G.W. Bush, don’t put the blame on the citizens of Toronto. I’m sorry to break it to you, but city council is Dr. Frankenstein and Rob Ford is their monster run amok.
So, to the city councillors, media and all elite Torontonians who are still trying to piece together the secret to Rob Ford’s success, here are a few major points to consider:
The current city council sucks
As a journalist, I’ve spent time at City Hall. I’ve seen citizens patiently wait their turn to step up to the mic and address their elected officials with their concerns. As these citizens utilize their 5 minutes, I’ve watched councillors (the councillors who bothered to show up that day, anyway) get up and leave, walk over to another councillor and have a conversation, play with their Blackberrys, talk on the phone, send emails and even give me interviews on the spot – anything they can to avoid listening to those who voted them in.
This is our City Hall. Councillors routinely spend thousands of public dollars on their private pursuits. Average people can barely afford to own a house anymore. Our waterfront is still unfinished. The TTC is worse than ever. Garbage and transit worker strikes paralysed our city while the mayor kissed greedy union asses and bowed to their demands. And, perhaps most reprehensibly, council voted themselves RAISES while the recession resulted in mounting job losses.
Almost all politics are the politics of anger
Call it the politics of anger if you want, but the term is ridiculous. Most elections are built around candidates harvesting public anger toward the way things are being run and why they have to change. Voters generally cast a ballot because they’re angry at the current administration and want change. Of course, sometimes they’re happy with the status quo and vote to keep it. However, consider this: Obama got voted into the White House thanks to “the politics of anger.” His campaign people were just smart enough to realize early on that “Hope” looks a lot better on a poster than “Grrrr!” And lets be honest, until Ford entered the race it seemed a foregone conclusion that Smitherman would win and there wasn’t much talk about it. So if nothing else, Ford caused this city to engage more passionately in this election than it ever planned to.
Ford has lied in the past. Guess what, so has everyone else
Why don’t people seem to care about Ford’s past indiscretions? The answer is twofold. First, some of the accusations are twisted and/or blown out of proportion and people see them for what they are: a desperate attempt to smear his name by even more desperate candidates and media outlets. Second, people assume that politicians lie, cheat and steal. It’s not right at all, but in the absence of anarchy and an overthrow of the system, we seem resigned to live with it as long as we don’t have to blatantly observe it. Ford has lied in the past. Big deal. So has every other elected official, including the current ones. So now they’re even.
Ford connects with the people
I’ve interviewed Rob Ford for articles in community papers when the councillors who we elected to serve in those communities (*ahem* Janet Davis and Case Ootes) refused to return phone calls. In his own ward, Ford is generally loved. And, to the average Torontonian, he is relatable. Ford hates the same things about city hall that they hate. And if it’s between a guy who’s genuine but a bit of a goof or a guy who’s eloquent but will screw you behind closed doors anyway, I’ll take the former.
Is that cynical? Of course. But it’s what we’ve been shown to be true over and over by city hall. Even the golden boy, Adam Giambrone, who was supposed to save us, went from fucking his girlfriend to fucking his mistress to fucking himself (and a multitude of TTC riders along the way).
Face it, anti-Ford crusaders. Many Torontonians feel like jilted lovers, screwed over one too many times by those who implored them to have a little faith. Now Torontonians want a fling with someone who, while he may not be as couth, at least seems sincere – for better or worse. They know it may be the wrong choice in the long run, but they’ve been following the path they’ve been told is right for years and ended up with a flake for a mayor and a council of thieves. So, while they may regret it in the morning, they’re pressing reset and taking their lives, and their city, in a different direction.
And if Rob Ford wins the mayoral seat and the worst fears of his opponents come true, don’t blame the voters. City council, you left them no choice. Now, Toronto’s blood is on your hands.
Well said…. very well said. Wow.
This is one of the more balanced articles,so thanks Mike C.,however I do find it amusing how people assume the “suburbs”may be more “average joe”than core Toronto.When I compare Ward 5,and Ward 22 to Ward 27,the income,and post secondary statistics are comparable. http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/downtown/ward-22-st-pauls/, http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/etobicoke/ward-5-etobicoke-lakeshore/,http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/downtown/ward-27-toronto-centre-rosedale/. What is scary about how Torontonians,or Canadians vote is their general apathy.How else can one have McGuinty,or Miller in office despite their lack of vision,and budget imbalances? Really hope Torontonians don’t do what’s “comfortable” this municipal election because the data shows it hasn’t worked.