Not that there’s anything in particular wrong with it. It’s just that the medium forces oversimplification.
It does hit the accountability issue, which is key. But helping people understand how a strong mayor is more accountable takes explanation.
Absurdly, opponents of reform have tried to claim that a city manager is more accountable. Their argument is that the manager can be fired any time, rather than having to wait until re-election time.
That is rendered absurd by experience. No one who has seven equal bosses can be said to have a boss at all. Anyone recall how long it took city council even to do an evaluation of Charles Austin? I’m sort of asking, because I don’t recall the exact length of time myself. But it was outrageously long, reflecting how difficult it is for a body of seven people to agree on what direction and feedback a manager should receive.
And anyone who thinks an elected mayor is accountable only at election time hasn’t paid attention to the way elected officials actually behave, which is to look over their shoulders constantly to make sure the voters are happy with the job they’re doing.
Anyway, for what it’s worth, I pass on the advert.
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Oh, and here’s the release that went with the video:
Anyone who thinks Steve Benjamin cares enough what the ordinary voter thinks to change his actions, hasn’t dealt with him. He got re-elected for a lot of reasons, but none that amount to being rewarded for his actions.