BladeWorker said:
There's an argument to be made that lower voter turnout in stable democracies suggests not apathy or anomie or disenfranchisement, but a general sentiment that everything is OK and that there is no compelling reason to vote.
In one respect, it feeds into the absent mandate thesis: the elected has no mandate to implement the changes on which he campaigned. In another respect, it undermines it: the elected has the mandate to do whatever he pleases, as those voting for him expressed confidence, and those who stayed home don't mind that he governs. Quid tacit consentit.
There's an argument to be made, especially with the younger voter's poor results, that they feel their vote won't matter, or whoever they vote for, it'll make little difference (and not in a good way). It can be twisted either way to match your point of view, depending on the political climate.
In regards to mandates; as seen lately in the case of Ford, it's the unwillingness to work with people, that might hold different views, that really eats at people. He's not trying to bargain, or compromise, and mean while tries to circumvent the process behind closed doors. He over estimates the power his office is given, it's not as if the buck stops with the mayor.
He should of course push his platform which he was elected on, but realise that the bullish manner he's trying to do it is not going to work. The committee meetings is a microcosm what's wrong with his approach. Idiotically run the meeting for over twenty four hours straight, hold it in a cramped office when larger rooms are available, attack people with vague facts, but ignore people that come with ideas and numbers, and then afterwards continue with the 'silent majority' line and that everyone you've heard from tells you to stay the course.
And what of a mandate for a mayor if the approval rating drops like a rock? Does he blindly 'stay the course', even if voices from all sides disagree?
Suggesting that bipartisanship, compromising, and working with people that have other ideals is weak is why I hate US politics. Because you are working with who you've been elected to work with doesn't mean you have up and abandoned the people that voted for you. But Ford does love that sports team mentality of 'us and them'.
crazy monkey said:
I visited Calgary last week. Much much better views lol. Just looking at mountains from inside the house and walking around so much fresh air.
I miss the Pacific mountain ranges, but I'd even take the Rockies over this flatness. ;_;
