If you live in Toronto you have an opinion on Rob ford, it's impossible not to have one at this point. Even those Torontonians who try their best to ignore politics have a statement on Ford, or the Ford supporters (dubbed 'Ford Nation'), or the Ford bashers (which consists of pretty much everyone living downtown it seems - if you buy a bike in Toronto I think it actually comes with a t-shirt denouncing Ford nowadays).
Ford has become Canada's George W. Bush given how divisive and consistent the discussions surrounding the man have become. Like it or not, he is the biggest celebrity in town. It's almost like Highlander in a way, George Bush has fallen and Rob Ford has taken his place at the head of the highly controversial political leaders table.
There can only be one.
Reddit, a great online community, has a well trafficked subreddit for Toronto. In the past few months reddit Toronto, not to say it's been hijacked but the majority of posts seem to revolve around Mayor Rob and Councillor Doug Ford. Some local redditors have started complaining that all that appears, everything posted is about Rob and/or Doug, replacing the daily musings about life around TO. Others however claim equally as passionately that the brothers Ford are the most important factor impacting the city right now and therefore are worthy of discussion.
And on and on the discussion goes.
No matter what comes up right now if it's dealing with Toronto it's concerning Ford in some way. We love to talk about the mayor, even if we hate the way he's running things. While most Canadian leaders do not receive the same sort of attention that President Bush received or current President Barrack Obama, and definitely very few mayors ever come close to that level, Ford is a clear exception to the rule.
Toronto hasn't really seen this kind of hysteria over a politician for some time now, if ever really. Mayor Mel Lastman received some heat when he was in office, in particular when he called the Canadian Forces in to help with snow removal on the streets - something the city and its residents still have yet to live down across the country. But it was nowhere near as intense as what Ford has received. The previous mayor David Miller was newsworthy as well, he had his moments where he dominated the headlines. Once again though nothing near the multiple articles a day and frequent polls declaring just how bad a job Ford has done and how everyone hates him. Not even close.
Is it right that this man and this city council generates such attention, and in particular such negative attention? While many are up in arms some argue this is what the voters wanted, this is the direction they have taken the city so it's not worthy of so many complaints. But with Ford's push for service cuts and layoffs, while trying to improve the city by building NFL stadiums, monorials, and giant ferris wheels instead, it has become difficult to ignore what's going on at City Hall. It's a journalist's dream, even if it's a nightmare to many residents.
As much as the Ford opponents may deny it, everyone is kind of eagerly awaiting just what will happen next. With this council, honestly, you never know.
Whether it is too much or not enough really depends on who you speak with, both the person and their location within city limits seems to be a determining factor. If you speak with a Torontonian however you will be guaranteed to get a political discussion, regardless of their interest in the matter. Even those who dislike the mayor cannot deny that he has become the most newsworthy and most important man within the city.
Because just like Bush, we simply cannot stop talking about Ford.
