Yeah, party discipline makes a huge difference. Each party in the US congress is largely a loose association of people, not a solid voting block. There are many so-called Democrats who would be mistaken for Republicans if one examined only their voting record, and vice versa. Westminster-style parliaments typically have little patience for that kind of political heterodoxy. I'm not sure if it makes for better policy, but at least the Parliamentary style yields more stability, consistency and predictability, things I personally prefer over governmental chaos.
I'm not too worried about Rob Ford though. While he has the bully pulpit as mayor, he lacks a legislative majority. He will be forced to compromise in ways Mike Harris never had to consider. The people have, for better or worse, spoken so he does have a mandate for massive changes but if Ford wants to try for a second term, he's going to have to learn pragmatism quickly.
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Date: 2010-11-02 06:30 pm (UTC)I'm not too worried about Rob Ford though. While he has the bully pulpit as mayor, he lacks a legislative majority. He will be forced to compromise in ways Mike Harris never had to consider. The people have, for better or worse, spoken so he does have a mandate for massive changes but if Ford wants to try for a second term, he's going to have to learn pragmatism quickly.