The Weaponization of Politics

KAMLOOPS — “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” No one is certain who first said these words but in the case of Premier Doug Ford of Ontario, it could be rewritten to say something about being served by the stupid as well.  

I’m referring to the stupidity of Ford’s act of pure revenge on Toronto’s City Council.  The same City Hall and council that is – at least I suspect in the premier’s mind – an embarrassing monument to the fall from grace of his cocaine and alcohol addicted brother and former mayor, Rob Ford. And the same council that Doug Ford sat on at one time.

It was a humiliating time for Rob Ford but it was self-inflicted and Toronto struggled under the embarrassment and disgrace he created.  Yet I believe his brother Doug sees it differently. Still sees it as an attack on his brother where the shame and indignity originated at City Council and not at the feet of he who was responsible. It is also a City that ignored Doug Ford and his party in the provincial elections and needed to be punished for that personal affront as well.

Doug Ford has now assumed power and he’s wasted no time in extracting his revenge with last week’s announcement that he will be reducing the size of City Council by half. His justification is cost, saying he was elected to reduce government expenditures.  Yet no other municipal government in Ontario has been required to eliminate councillor positions, which negates the province-wide cost/efficiency argument.

It is not to say a reduction in seats isn’t needed; maybe it is but in taking this unilateral and immediate step, Ford has demonstrated that the democratic process means nothing to him.  Consultation isn’t and will not be part of his vocabulary. And the lives of those he has just stepped on, such as those running for election, mean nothing to him. Revenge has blinded him and in the process demonstrated how ignorant and self-centred this premier will be.

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I can still remember a time when leaders were inspirational.  They could draw their citizens together during crisis. Could inspire greatness and galvanize the population into achieving the impossible.  Kennedy changed the tone and direction of America with those simple yet powerful words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”.  Roosevelt calmed his country down with his famous quote, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. Churchill, Gandhi and many more led and in some cases fought for the rights and privileges of their citizens.

When did revenge replace leadership and become so important that it became your first act upon assuming power? Politics is being weaponized and chief amongst its most destructive and controlling forces is greed and fear.  I can only assume they believe it is far easier to scare and bully people into complacent silence then it is to provide real leadership.

Leadership, accountability and responsibility for one’s own actions are not something we often see in politicians anymore, even at the local level.  Over the past several months I began asking politicians about their greatest accomplishments while in office – Deeds or actions that began with their idea.  Something of benefit to the community that they created, took ownership of, convinced colleagues to follow them, led the charge and eventually made it happen. Some have been in office for years others less but so far, no one has been able to answer my question.

I was only asking for one accomplishment while in office.  Not something they took on that others had started but something that was theirs from start to finish and made them proud to have served.

These are the people who during election time will promise action, leadership and selfless dedication to helping everyone.  The say anything to get elected mode I had mentioned in last week’s column kicks in and we need to start changing that self-serving attitude.

This election, ask incumbents what they have achieved and what role they played in that achievement.  Ask challengers and incumbents for measurable specifics and timelines on all promises. Make it impossible for anyone to say they want to house the homeless or replace aging infrastructure, unite communities or build a performing arts centre without specifically explaining how and when.  Do that and the journey towards finding our real leaders will be well underway.