Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, January 25, 2013

What lessons has Rob Ford learned?

Exhale, Toronto. Your mayor is safe for now — tossed a lifeline by a panel of judges who found him not guilty of conflict of interest, on a technicality.

“It is our view that Mr. Ford did not contravene s. 5(1), because the financial sanction imposed by (the council vote) was not authorized by the (City of Toronto Act or the councillors’ code of conduct). In other words, it was a nullity,” the decision reads.

Ford had a significant financial stake on the outcome of the council vote, he was in a conflict of interest, but it is nullified because the penalty council sought to impose was outside council jurisdiction, the divisional court ruled.

The decision averts a political maelstrom at city hall that would have seen multiple politicians jockeying to replace the mayor.

It is also a public civics lesson for the entire city. What lessons Ford learns from it will be evident only over the next few months.

If he fails to adjust his style of governing — attacking opponents instead of working with them — council will continue as a divisive body facing serious issues of public importance.

Ford survives a wounded leader with a fractured caucus and mutinous allies on city council. Several factors dictate that it will be a while before it is business as usual.

First, he has another legal hurdle to cross concerning charges he violated campaign expense rules in the last election. That could also toss him from office, though it is unlikely.

Secondly, Ford has shown little ability to forge consensus and lead council towards difficult decisions.

Based on his reaction to the decision Friday, Ford seemed to be learning. How long the peace lasts at city hall depends primarily on the mayor. If he interprets the legal victory as vindication and fails to adjust his style, the war with council will continue.

On Friday, Ford presented himself as humbled and contrite — adjectives not normally found in the Ford dictionary.

Asked what he learned, he didn’t say he learned that he must obey the rules that govern his council. Or that he needs to listen more to his council colleagues. Instead, he thanked his legal team for the brilliant performance and the judiciary for the ruling and “the people” for standing by him.

He also laid the groundwork for the next campaign, saying he plans to stay in office another six years — completing this term and winning a four-year re-election in 2014 based on a new transportation strategy, economic strategy and increased customer service.

And he unveiled the theme for the 2014 election: “Promises made, promises kept.”

Meanwhile, at city hall, politicians can turn their attention to a series of serious issues, starting with a vote on allowing a casino in Toronto. There is the crumbling Gardiner Expressway; and council must weigh in on controversial funding tools needed to pay for rapid transit.

Council has proven itself adept at sailing without a compass. A chastened Rob Ford could become the leader the office calls for; or he could lapse back to his old self.

Either way, the civics lesson that is Rob Ford continues to entertain, if not inform.

Original Article
Source: the star
Author: Royson James

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