Kimmels Advice to Ford (UPDATED)

I wasn't elected to be perfect," he responded.

Kimmel told Ford that accepting help would set "a good example for other people who might be in a similar situation." The audience applauded; Ford stuck to his practiced lines.

Nobody ever expected the Mayor to be perfect, whatever that means.  There's a solid argument to be made that he owes the people nothing more than doing what he campaigned to (which, arguably, he hasn't, but that's a different story).

But you are Mayor, Your Worship.  That does mean something; it means you are leader of the City of Toronto, not tax-saver in chief.  So lead. 

Leaders provide hope to others.  They show courtesy and the ability to work with.  Above all else, though - leaders lead by example.

UPDATE 4/3/14 - some wisdom from the Globe and Mail:

He seemed to think Mr. Kimmel was his buddy and that buddies don't ask hard questions.  Real buddies do, of course, and Mr. Ford shouldn't have been surprised to find himself the subject of this friendly but forensic late-night grilling.

We've gotten to a place in Canadian politics where opposition is evil, period.  Our "leaders" suck at taking advice and are quick to pillory anyone who criticizes them.  At the same time, the decisons being made by these leaders are increasingl vacuous, off-target or even harmful to our long-term interests.

Why should we care about politics instead of being cynically dismissive?  That's why.