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Which tells you why Ford decided to cut the size of Toronto’s local government from 47 councillors to 25 in the middle of the municipal election campaign, despite the uproar that’s created.

Respect for taxpayers reflects a political philosophy rooted in the belief the best interests of those who consume and pay for public services generally ought to come before the interests of politicians, bureaucrats, special interest and social justice advocates. It’s not absolute, dogmatic or inflexible. It’s pragmatic.

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In general terms, she who pays the piper calls the tune.

Toronto city councillors are outraged by Ford’s decision – if not because their jobs and livelihood are at stake, then over the way the council restructuring was done, and perhaps over the perceived loss of local representation.

But the crucial question, viewed through the Ford family lens, is whether or not taxpayers are better served by reducing council now, or waiting four years and $25 million later?

In answer to that question, Ford suggests Toronto council is dysfunctional, self-serving, out-of-touch and populated by a collection of job-for-life politicians who have largely failed to provide the public service, leadership or fiscal responsibility the public has a right to expect.

For the broader public, if you think Toronto city council has done a great job managing public transit, congestion on the roads, crime, gang and gun issues, public housing and tax hikes, then Ford has made the wrong decision.