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Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario!
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We had a few Ford free years, but just when you thought the coast might be clear - Doug Ford jumps back into politics. First it was a run for the Mayor's job in Toronto, that he was already illegally campaigning for, then after maybe the wildest week ever, in Ontario politics, Doug now says he's running for the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party - https://tvo.org/...d#comment-3733992685 And after that, if he wins the leadership (yikes), a provincial election in 100 days!

Like Trump, with Doug in the game, there will be almost daily comedic relief and many face-palm moments. Also like Trump, to just dismiss him as a populist, blowhard buffoon, would be a mistake. Not that I would support him in ANY, way. I just know that, the Fords tap into a group of voters, like Trump does, that is really hard to explain in normal political terms.

For our American friends, Doug Ford is the brother of the late Rob Ford, former Mayor of Toronto - who had a fondness for crack cocaine and drunken stupors!


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
Last edited by: Fleck: Jan 30, 18 14:35
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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When I heard he was jumping in my hand met my face. All the usual stick about "the party elites won't like me running" etc

They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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He does remind me of Trump in some ways, but in a kinder more reserved Canadian sort of way.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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I officially hate clowns.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [cerveloguy] [ In reply to ]
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cerveloguy wrote:
He does remind me of Trump in some ways, but in a kinder more reserved Canadian sort of way.

What? He insults and then says sorry, or does he say sorry and then insult you? The only thing missing from this race is a criminal, what's Conrad Black up to these days?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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The sad part is, people don't vote FOR anything anymore, they vote against things... and with what's going on in Ontario politics right now, he'll probably win...

What, 8 million people in Ontario and he's the best the Cons can come up with, you guys probably deserve him!
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [snoots] [ In reply to ]
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snoots wrote:
The sad part is, people don't vote FOR anything anymore, they vote against things... and with what's going on in Ontario politics right now, he'll probably win...

What, 8 million people in Ontario and he's the best the Cons can come up with, you guys probably deserve him!

He's thrown his name into the hat but I seriously doubt he will get the nomination. Same can be said for Mulroney's daughter. They didn't call her old man lyin' Brian for nothing so I can't see her having a serious shot either.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [cerveloguy] [ In reply to ]
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cerveloguy wrote:
snoots wrote:
The sad part is, people don't vote FOR anything anymore, they vote against things... and with what's going on in Ontario politics right now, he'll probably win...

What, 8 million people in Ontario and he's the best the Cons can come up with, you guys probably deserve him!


He's thrown his name into the hat but I seriously doubt he will get the nomination. Same can be said for Mulroney's daughter. They didn't call her old man lyin' Brian for nothing so I can't see her having a serious shot either.

Caroline has the same thing that Justin did - a name that old - read: voters - people recognize... the strategists might just try and capitalize on it, though frankly I think that if she was interested, she'd go federal politics... 1st female Prime Minister and all that (yeah, yeah, I know, Kim Campbell...lol)

Interesting how Shear seems to be waning...may be changes on the horizon, ahead o' an election...
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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The conservatives were almost a shoe-in before this scandal. There were so many people upset with Wynne, it was an easy election win for them as many people still are angry with the NDP for the Bob Rae years. . However if Doug Ford is running, I don't think it will be so easy.


I really don't like the NDP, but I feel as if that may be the best solution for a poor group of candidates.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Ghost234] [ In reply to ]
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The conservatives were almost a shoe-in before this scandal. There were so many people upset with Wynne, it was an easy election win for them as many people still are angry with the NDP for the Bob Rae years.


I'm a Liberal - but a centrist Liberal who can see to the other side, and even I'll admit that, everything WAS lining up for the PC's for a win. Wynne is NOT popular and like any party that has been governing for this long, there is a great deal of fatigue among voters for the Liberal Party. They want change, and they don't really care what that change is or what it's going to do.

I had some suspicions about Patrick Brown - NOT about what eventually came out, but at a more personal level. I've had the opportunity, to meet him a few times via business events and social events that I've been to I have political friends who know him very well. The couple of times I was introduced to him, I was introduced as "Steve the Liberal", and he just brushed me off and almost completely ignored me in the conversation. Yet, I'm the kind of guy, he needs to win over!

Anyway, that's all done now.


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [snoots] [ In reply to ]
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The sad part is, people don't vote FOR anything anymore, they vote against things... and with what's going on in Ontario politics right now, he'll probably win...

That and people vote for personalities.

In the Philippines, a beauty pageant winner, actor or athlete (Manny Pacquiao is a Senator in the Philippines and a possible future Presidential candidate) are good bets to get elected. In the U.S., Trump is wealthy and famous for being on t.v and people fell for that.Oprah was considered a strong potential candidate simply because she is famous, absolutely zero political background.

I'm hoping against hope that Canada has more sense but I have a sinking feeling we could do the same, ignoring pesky things like experience and personal character and voting for someone famous. I hope that trends stop.


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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Sanuk] [ In reply to ]
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Sanuk wrote:
The sad part is, people don't vote FOR anything anymore, they vote against things... and with what's going on in Ontario politics right now, he'll probably win...

That and people vote for personalities.

In the Philippines, a beauty pageant winner, actor or athlete (Manny Pacquiao is a Senator in the Philippines and a possible future Presidential candidate) are good bets to get elected. In the U.S., Trump is wealthy and famous for being on t.v and people fell for that.Oprah was considered a strong potential candidate simply because she is famous, absolutely zero political background.

I'm hoping against hope that Canada has more sense but I have a sinking feeling we could do the same, ignoring pesky things like experience and personal character and voting for someone famous. I hope that trends stop.



Umm didn't we already kinda do that? What experience did JT have? Wasn't he just a good looking kid with a famous name?
Last edited by: 50+: Jan 31, 18 6:52
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Sanuk] [ In reply to ]
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One of the leading contenders for leader was a guy who was mayor of North Bay and has a lot of political experience. Pretty much rejected out of hand by the chattering class because he is a man. He has now announced he is going to focus entirely on being interm leader and cleaning house for the good of party

Adam Brown wasn't my favourite guy and I am a habitual PC voter. He seemed a flip flopper. Nevertheless I think it is sad that he got nothing anyway near due process. I personally know a few politicians and I don't think people appreciate how much of a slog it can be for a decent person. Maybe that is why we get so many oddballs.

They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

Last edited by: len: Jan 31, 18 7:06
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [len] [ In reply to ]
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I don't know why people were so down on Christine Elliot. Wife of the late Jim Flaherty. She ran for leader of the Ontario PCs and lost both times. I don't get it, she's actually competent.

Anyway, I was set to vote for Brown. Now I have no idea. If it's Ford I won't be voting PC. I never vote NDP and I won't vote for Wynne.

Is there a Marxist-Leninist candidate?

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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Do what we are doing in PEI and go Green!
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Zenmaster28] [ In reply to ]
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Zenmaster28 wrote:
Do what we are doing in PEI and go Green!

You guys are just obsessed with Green Gables aren't you? Even going as far as voting for the Green party simply because of the name...

Pathetic.

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Zenmaster28] [ In reply to ]
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Zenmaster28 wrote:
Do what we are doing in PEI and go Green!

we are going green in a few months, NSLC will be selling it at select locations.

Oh, wait, you meant politics. My bad....

Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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BLeP wrote:
Zenmaster28 wrote:
Do what we are doing in PEI and go Green!


You guys are just obsessed with Green Gables aren't you? Even going as far as voting for the Green party simply because of the name...

Pathetic.

We have to keep coming up with new ways to entice the Japanese tourists to come back every year.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [JasoninHalifax] [ In reply to ]
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JasoninHalifax wrote:
Zenmaster28 wrote:
Do what we are doing in PEI and go Green!


we are going green in a few months, NSLC will be selling it at select locations.

Oh, wait, you meant politics. My bad....

Moose green? I think that's been available for a while. You should try to keep up.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Zenmaster28] [ In reply to ]
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Hey, by the way, I heard that PEI has finally got high speed internet. Good work. When are you getting rid of dial up?

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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Christine Elliott sounds like a good choice. My understanding is she resigned as a MPP after Patrick Brown won leadership. Understandably as I think Patrick road a wave of populist support to defeat a leadership bid that should have been hers. I hope she decides to come back. I agree Ford is a buffoon.

They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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No, no you heard wrong, we are just planning on it. My internet speeds feel very dialup-esque most days.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [50+] [ In reply to ]
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Umm didn't we already kinda do that? What experience did JT have? Wasn't he just a good looking kid with a famous name?


Yes that was the knock on JT - was lack of experience, but it was incorrect, and simply used as a negative tactic by Stephen Harper and the Conservatives.

On the contrary to being inexperienced - Trudeau, trained in school to be a Teacher and served as a teacher for a number of years. People in politics tell me, great teachers, make for good politicians.

Next he was elected as an MP and served as a back-bencher in parliament for a few years. Then ran for Leader of the Liberals, which he won. He then got to serve, not as the Opposition Leader ( a high profile role) - but the Leader of the 3rd Party in the House for a few years - a humbling role. During this time, he traveled the country extensively, doing Town Halls taking completely unfiltered questions from anyone (and often getting verbally beat up in the process) focusing on areas of the country that the Liberals were week in - Western Canada, and the suburban Toronto area.

So in total prior to actually being the PM, he had about 15 years of good experience and training to reach that point!

He's also savvy enough to know that while being a famous PM's son, he knows that, that also comes with a negative side as well, and he accepts that, and adjusts accordingly.


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
Last edited by: Fleck: Jan 31, 18 9:42
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [len] [ In reply to ]
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Christine Elliott sounds like a good choice. My understanding is she resigned as a MPP after Patrick Brown won leadership. Understandably as I think Patrick road a wave of populist support to defeat a leadership bid that should have been hers. I hope she decides to come back. I agree Ford is a buffoon.


Looks like a 3-way race is set between between, Christine Elliot, Caroline Mulroney, and Doug Ford.

Elliot and Mulroney will split the traditional and red-Tory Conservatives within the party, Ford will appeal to, . . . well . . anyone who, really has no idea what the meaning of the word hypocrisy is! Ford's already been caught in flip-flop hypocrisy.

Elliot would be considered the safest bet - loads of political experience. Mulroney (Daughter of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney), is new to the game, but is smart, well educated (Harvard) and has been a very successful corporate lawyer.

Doug Ford is a buffoon, but I've noticed a change. He seems to have toned it all down. He's not been as bombastic, and pit-bullish, in the few public appearances so far - but it's still early days. Doug has a notoriously short fuse and thin skin - can he keep the anger, emotion, and pettiness in check? He also can weave this ridiculous and complicated stories, and get easily caught out on something he said just a few days before. And which of his former high school hash and marjuna customers will come forward with a tell-all!


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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Doug Ford also lacks his brothers connection with the average joe.

Say what you will about Rob Ford, one thing he did well (even when he should have been spending his time, you know, actually running the city) was connect with the people. He would answer phone calls, emails, knocks on his door from any of his constituents.

Its a good part of the reason why so many people were dismissive of any bad news regarding Ford.

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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i think doug might also struggle if and when he gets onto a provincial or federal stage. just once a national paper did a deep dive on his background, and it was the notorious globe and mail piece that detailed his drug dealing, kidnapping, gongshow past. the kind of scrutiny he'd get at higher levels would only hurt him.

beyond that, he might find the debates tough - again, up against provincial-level candidates in a controlled setting rather than yelling at the benchwarmers at a municipal town hall. after leaving municipal office last time he swore up and down that he'd never run again, that he hated it, etc.

full points for brazen-ness, though - the man is unshakably convinced that he's entitled to wield power.

____________________________________
https://lshtm.academia.edu/MikeCallaghan

http://howtobeswiss.blogspot.ch/
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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Fleck wrote:

Elliot would be considered the safest bet - loads of political experience. Mulroney (Daughter of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney), is new to the game, but is smart, well educated (Harvard) and has been a very successful corporate lawyer.

Did some fact checking pulled from CBC. Looks like she lies almost as much as her father.

Caroline Mulroney: "I've worked for 20 years in law and business:

The facts from her Linkedin profile:
- 11 years TOTAL work experience
- only 23 months total as a lawyer, as an entry level associate of a New York firm while studying for the bar exam, and never worked in law again after this (2003)
- no evidence she's licensed to practice law in Canada, and she never has
- longest role at any company: 2 years 8 months
- her three other roles were as a sales person, 2 in financial services business development (aka sales), and the other at the Pollock Centre for Law and Business -- a networking organization selling seminars, events, and weekend courses to law students
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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She ran for leader of the Ontario PCs and lost both times. I don't get it, she's actually competent.

Trump is proving that competency is the kiss of death in politics these days.

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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Sanuk] [ In reply to ]
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Trump is proving that competency is the kiss of death in politics these days.


Trump and locally, Rob Ford here in Toronto proved that a good cohort of voters don't seem to care about competency, coherence, decorum, propriety, respect, or even illegalities** ( a fact for Ford with his admissions of cocaine use and drinking and driving).

**I remember an interview with a Ford supporter at one of the Ford Fests, she was happy as a lark, and when asked about all of what I mention there, and the admitted cocaine use by Rob Ford, she said, "He's a great guy. I regular person, just like me". When a voter/supporter says that with a politician like Rob Ford, are they admitting, that they to are incompetent, incoherent, disrespectful, and inappropriate and that, they are condoning drug use and drinking and driving? They are OK with that? What sort of person is OK with all that?


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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But Trump does it all stone cold sober. If he were a cocaine-addled alcoholic then it'd be more understandable; pulling this off completely sober takes some serious talent.

"Tweet, but verify (or dont)". It's the new US motto.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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The greatest trick that Rob Ford ever pulled off was convincing the average Joe that he was just like them.

They all ignored the fact that he was a millionaire based on his Dad's success in business.

Nope, just your average Joe (with a cocaine and alcohol abuse issue).

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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They all ignored the fact that he was a millionaire based on his Dad's success in business.


Oh, yes. Rob Ford was a living breathing, hypocrite with just about EVERYTHING he did. He railed at politicians for "living off the trough", but he himself had never really had a job himself, other than at Deco labels (his father's company), and then as a renegade City of Toronto Councillor who just complained, loudly about everything, voted against anything and everything progressive and obstructed on everything else!,

The "regular-guy" thing is the part about all this, I just don't understand. How can anyone look at a Rob Ford, Doug Ford, or a Donald Trump, and say with a straight face, "Oh yeah - he's just a regular guy. An average-joe - just like me"?? Do these people have a massive blocker/filter for hypocrisy?


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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BLeP wrote:
I don't know why people were so down on Christine Elliot. Wife of the late Jim Flaherty. She ran for leader of the Ontario PCs and lost both times. I don't get it, she's actually competent.

Anyway, I was set to vote for Brown. Now I have no idea. If it's Ford I won't be voting PC. I never vote NDP and I won't vote for Wynne.

Is there a Marxist-Leninist candidate?

Mulrooney is technically an outsider, does that help? Maybe she'll buy a couple of jets for the MPP's to cruise out to the far reaches of known Ontario, like Whitby and Etobicoke.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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I think you are missing the point. It is all about the perception of empathy.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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scobig wrote:
I think you are missing the point. It is all about the perception of empathy.

Nah, Rob Ford would actually say, "I am just your average Joe." Which he clearly wasn't. He was just a poorly mannered rich kid.

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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Who, as you stated earlier, "would answer phone calls, emails, knocks on his door".

Do people outside the major urban centres feel like they can talk more with the likes of Rob Ford or Kathleen Wynne?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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scobig wrote:
Who, as you stated earlier, "would answer phone calls, emails, knocks on his door".

Do people outside the major urban centres feel like they can talk more with the likes of Rob Ford or Kathleen Wynne?

true. sadly, people think that they're electing a superintendent rather than a political leader. i would hate it if the mayor came to my house to yell at some potholes - and would hate it even more if the premier or the PM did. they get paid way, way too much for that.

____________________________________
https://lshtm.academia.edu/MikeCallaghan

http://howtobeswiss.blogspot.ch/
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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scobig wrote:
Who, as you stated earlier, "would answer phone calls, emails, knocks on his door".

Do people outside the major urban centres feel like they can talk more with the likes of Rob Ford or Kathleen Wynne?

He would talk to anyone, I did give him "credit" for that. Of course though, he would do that rather than attend those pesky council meetings and rather than actually doing what a mayor should be doing.

And people loved him for it. He was an incompetent boob. But he talked to the plebes.

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [BLeP] [ In reply to ]
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And don't forget commandeering school buses for his football team.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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Do people outside the major urban centres feel like they can talk more with the likes of Rob Ford or Kathleen Wynne?

I know that there is a sense from many, that they don't feel listened to, or anyone cares about them. But how many people actually engage, with the people that they really need to connect and engage with? These people are their LOCAL representatives - NOT the president, prime minister, governor, premier etc . .


Many people just complain - which is fine, but that really does nothing as you are typically just yelling in a vacuum. How many go to All Candidates meetings in elections for local representatives. Write letters/emails to them when they are doing things you agree or don't agree with. Attend Town-Hall meetings etc.


A well functioning democracy, works best with a well engaged citizenry.


Rob Ford (when he was Mayor), or Kathleen Wynne (Current Ontario, Premier), are not the best people to contact if you have a problem. Ford made a great fanfare out of his door-knocking, but this typically a staged for the media kind of event. And often, while the issue was brought up with Ford, he would vote in opposition to what would actually solve that problem at city council!!


In the last month, I've eMailed my local MPP (Ontario Provincial local representative), about a transportation issue, as well as the Mayor of the town that I live in about a zoning/planning issue. Both responded to me in a timely manner, and we had a good back-and-forth sharing of ideas. That's the way it's supposed to work.






Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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Now I'm missing your point.

You asked why people relate to what are essentially anti-Establishment politicians. I tried to answer that.

Are you now asking why more people don't try to work within the Establishment process?
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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Are you now asking why more people don't try to work within the Establishment process?

Yes - because our democratic system is based on that premise. That Provincial Representative who I referred to is NOT who I voted for, but none-the-less, he is my Provincial representative, whether I voted for him or not, or like him or not. If I have a problem or praise, for what the province is doing with services that impact me, he's the person that, that communication needs to go to! I know this seems counter-intuitive, and many would say - "I didn't vote for the bum, why should I care??". But in a one-person-one vote system, it's all we have!

Here's something else I do - that may be more relatable but works along the same level. When I'm Race/Event Announcing, I make sure that I knowledge the local politicians. I also find out their contact information, and urge, race/event participants to send them an eMail or reach out to them somehow, to thank them for allowing us to run or ride on their roads. Why? No permits no race/event! And that local representative, will no doubt be getting complaints from others as to why the roads are closed, and how it's screwing up their day!


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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Ok, to answer that question:

Because we are no longer a "well engaged citizenry". And a lot of citizens who are well engaged feel disillusioned.

Here's an example: I've written and called my local representative almost a dozen times on a trash issue. Every time they agree, and promise to do something about it. It's been 18 months and nothing has been done. My wife is disillusioned.

However, I am also writing on behalf of every neighbour on my street. They all want the trash issue to be resolved, but not one of them can be bothered to write or call. None are engaged, yet the local representative has been repeatedly re-elected since 2003.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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However, I am also writing on behalf of every neighbour on my street. They all want the trash issue to be resolved, but not one of them can be bothered to write or call. None are engaged, yet the local representative has been repeatedly re-elected since 2003.


On micro issues like that, that's my point. So many people are disengaged. So many people don't trust the system. But we are not going to change our democratic systems. And as I mentioned these systems work best with an engaged citizenry.

I don't know anything about your trash issue on your street, but I'me sure if 5 - 6 people contacted the local political representative responsible for that, for or against, I'm sure something would happen - but no one does, so the politician then makes up his/her mind based on other input (and get's branded an "elitest), or decides on via the one person that DID decide to contact them! (squeaky wheel get's the grease!)

I know, I know everyone is going to go . . I don't have time for any of that! I typically write either the Mayor in my Town, my local Provincial Representative or my Federal Government, one of them, about ounce a month with a short email note that takes me less time to write than this post here ie. about 2 - 3 minutes. I just wrote my Federal Government MP, to today and voiced my displeasure at some inappropriate remark that both the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister of Justice made last week in in VERY controversial legal case


Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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scobig wrote:
Ok, to answer that question:

Because we are no longer a "well engaged citizenry". And a lot of citizens who are well engaged feel disillusioned.

Here's an example: I've written and called my local representative almost a dozen times on a trash issue. Every time they agree, and promise to do something about it. It's been 18 months and nothing has been done. My wife is disillusioned.

However, I am also writing on behalf of every neighbour on my street. They all want the trash issue to be resolved, but not one of them can be bothered to write or call. None are engaged, yet the local representative has been repeatedly re-elected since 2003.

Far too many people do not understand the separation between administration & legislation. Honestly, it's a bit troubling.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [racin_rusty] [ In reply to ]
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Can you expand on this? I want to ensure I understand the point you are making.
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [Fleck] [ In reply to ]
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I agree that Trudeau's comments in the Gerard Stanley case were completely inappropriate, as were those by Wilson-Raybould. I stated as much in the Saskatchewan Crime Wave thread.

But I disagree with your assertion that five or six people contacting a local politician will change things.

To use your analogy: for the squeaky wheel to get the grease the squeak needs to be thought of as loud, and by that I mean instil fear in the person to whom it is directed (fear of a material number of lost votes in the case of politicians and loss of revenue in the case of business leaders).

Advocating behind the scenes is great, but it is quite ineffective in a society as carefully managed as Canada. This is why your well engaged citizenry remark rings true and why populist, anti-establishment politicians become popular (again, "the perception of empathy") and it explains why there are more popular in other countries (less "lite").
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Re: Doug Ford - Trump-Lite for Ontario! [scobig] [ In reply to ]
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scobig wrote:
Can you expand on this? I want to ensure I understand the point you are making.


Sorry, I replied to the wrong post, it was meant for Fleck.
Last edited by: racin_rusty: Feb 14, 18 5:15
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