Ford is no Lincoln

Doug Ford states he was elected premier of Ontario and no “appointed” judge has the right to overturn his legislation to reduce Toronto city council from 47 to 25 councillors on the eve of the municipal election (and to meddle in the election of Niagara regional council chair because we in Niagara are not “mature” enough to elect one).

Funny thing though. I voted in the provincial election and I don’t recall seeing Doug Ford’s name on the ballot in St. Catharines. Anybody else see his name? No?

Doug Ford’s name appeared only on the ballot in Etobicoke North, not for premier, but as a lowly MPP who happened to have been chosen by a small number of Progressive Conservative party members at a leadership convention. As leader of the party that won enough seats to form the Ontario provincial government he became premier. This seems a spurious claim to an authoritarian mandate from the people of Ontario that allows him to ride roughshod over established constitutional norms.

We are not the U.S. Party leaders in Canada have a shelf life akin to a Lake Erie perch fillet left on the sidewalk on a hot summer’s day. When they begin to stink, or otherwise become a liability, the party revolts, tosses the bum out and appoints a new leader. No high crimes or misdemeanours required. Simple negative polling fuelled by arrogance and ego will suffice.

Ford would be well advised to exhibit a little humility, following the wise words of another political Ford, the 38th president of the U.S. Gerald Ford said, on ascending the presidency, “I am a Ford, not a Lincoln.”

Dougie, you, too, are just a Ford. Unfortunately, you appear to be a Pinto. Danger lurks in your rear-view mirror.

Henry Kurki

St. Catharines