[Prof_Chomsky]

I may be no expert on the Canadian military but I think this whole military spending and deterrent thing can be summed up pretty easily.

1) We only need enough of a military personnel and equipment for domestic aid, during a time of a natural crisis, or international aid/UN/NATO missions. Tiny.
2) As long as the USA is our friend, we're safe.
3) If we're in need of a "USA deterrant" as Bart says (which I think is wholely rediculous considering all our NATO and UN allies would sh1t a brick and help us. Really, if the Yanks go after us they're next on the list), that's simple too. We're nuclear capable. Spend 1 billion$ once, build a small cash of Hydrogen bombs. M.A.D.

[EyeBrock]

Rediculous? Really?

[Guy_Fawkes]

Prof_Chomsky Prof_Chomsky:

I may be no expert on the Canadian military but I think this whole military spending and deterrent thing can be summed up pretty easily.

That's painfully obvious, so maybe you should refrain from commenting further and save yourself further embarrassment.

Prof_Chomsky Prof_Chomsky:

1) We only need enough of a military personnel and equipment for domestic aid, during a time of a natural crisis, or international aid/UN/NATO missions. Tiny.
2) As long as the USA is our friend, we're safe.
3) If we're in need of a "USA deterrant" as Bart says (which I think is wholely rediculous considering all our NATO and UN allies would sh1t a brick and help us. Really, if the Yanks go after us they're next on the list), that's simple too. We're nuclear capable. Spend 1 billion$ once, build a small cash of Hydrogen bombs. M.A.D.

We dont have that now.

[PimpBrewski123]

I admit, I did not read thru the whole thread.

But there should always be more military spending.

[DerbyX]

PimpBrewski123 PimpBrewski123:

I admit, I did not read thru the whole thread.

But there should always be more military spending.

There should be more health care spending, education spending, infrastructure spending ....

Trouble is we can't sustain that under Harper deficits. That is entirely why the Liberals saved Canada with massive surpluses ... in order to better fund these projects.

Harper has destroyed that.

[EyeBrock]

Bad, bad Tories.

[PimpBrewski123]

DerbyX DerbyX:

PimpBrewski123 PimpBrewski123:

I admit, I did not read thru the whole thread.

But there should always be more military spending.

There should be more health care spending, education spending, infrastructure spending ....

Trouble is we can't sustain that under Harper deficits. That is entirely why the Liberals saved Canada with massive surpluses ... in order to better fund these projects.

Harper has destroyed that.

Hate to disagree here DerbyX,

All your previous points are acceptable. But there is money that could be used elsewhere, other than useless social programs. Apparently, the Federal Government spends countless money on new immigrants for instance, that's only a example but there are several other costly programs. There are several other programs that are only there for the Government lobby. So IMHO military spending is more important.

[DerbyX]

PimpBrewski123 PimpBrewski123:

Hate to disagree here DerbyX,

What? We always agree. You always agree with me that the Argos & Leafs are the best teams ever!

PimpBrewski123 PimpBrewski123:

All your previous points are acceptable. But there is money that could be used elsewhere, other than useless social programs. Apparently, the Federal Government spends countless money on new immigrants for instance, that's only a example but there are several other costly programs. There are several other programs that are only there for the Government lobby. So IMHO military spending is more important.

Useless social programs? Like what? Don't believe the propaganda that has immigrants being a drain on society. All I ever see are immigrants working, paying taxes, and providing services. Even if that were true do you have a budget breakdown of the costs involved? The military & justice system are the bulk of the budget.

The military deserves greater spending but so do other departments. Martin was the man who put serious money into the military and he did that when the deficits were under control. Harper fu*ked that all up and the end result will be the future Liberal government will be forced to make massive cuts to prevent our economic collapse.

On a side note, the same people who decry the Libs and cry for more military spending are the first to piss and moan about taxes. Myself, I've never bitched about high taxes as I paid far higher in England & Australia.

The cons simply haven't figured the link between taxes and military spending because they think money is plucked off of the corner gas fictional money tree.

[PimpBrewski123]

Lol.

The immigration program, for instance, was only used an example. There are several millions that are thrown, without being actually accounted for. That was only an example. As for military spending, that IMO, is necessary. A country needs its military might. That is being more useful than some of the other programs, that's all.

[DerbyX]

PimpBrewski123 PimpBrewski123:

Lol.

The immigration program, for instance, was only used an example. There are several millions that are thrown, without being actually accounted for. That was only an example. As for military spending, that IMO, is necessary. A country needs its military might. That is being more useful than some of the other programs, that's all.

The question is then what money do you think from the immigration budget or related expense you want to eliminate is there?

A drop in the bucket and that is assuming and government can survive a complete withdrawal of that service.

The secret (that the Libs figured out) was to reduce the deficit and thus raise spending subsequently.

Are you willing to pay higher taxes to fund the military better? Are you willing to support a repeal of foolish and needless corporate tax breaks?

Fund the military .... pay taxes. That is essentially it.

[ShepherdsDog]

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

Rediculous? Really?

is this a term used to describe leftist shenanigans?

[PublicAnimalNo9]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

jeff744 jeff744:

Question, why would anyone want to invade a country on the other side of the world with a landmass impossible for Canada to fully control?

First, I fixed that for you.

Second, why would anyone want to invade Canada?

You mean like France, Britain, the USA, Spain, and Russia all have done at points in the past?

They wouldn't at all be interested in the oil, lumber, gold, tin, coal, silver, diamonds, molybdenum and other rare earth metals, agricultural wealth, and just plain beautiful real estate do you think?

Yeah, but they'd be stuck with you guys as neighbours. Bad trade off.
Besdies, you just described what the US likes about Canada, except for softwood lumber

*Disclaimer* This post was meant entirely as a light hearted shot. In all seriousness, there aren't very many countries I'd rather share a border with.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

So here's nothing I haven't said before:

Canada needs a military that's adequate to securing Canada. Right now much of your 'security' is based on the assumption that no one is willing to invade your country. For the time being, that's true. But the absence of an adequate military absolutely has envious eyes cast upon your country. Low hanging fruit is always the most tempting.

Who's your #1 worry? The USA is. While it's pragmatic on Canada's part to just let the USA spend a fortune on defense and Canada reaps the rewards of being defended by default (as Jeff pointed out) the problem is that your sovereignty will always be one US election away from disappearing. Plenty of you anti-military and anti-American Canadians are eager to point out how the USA went to war in Iraq base upon the flimsiest evidence. Okay, then assume you're right!

Yeah...the USA goes to war for the flimsiest of reasons.

So imagine a politically vulnerable anti-Canadian President is in office and the media swings anti-Canadian. Right...yes, imagine it's this week. Okay, and the media starts ginning up a reason for an unpopular President to look all Presidential on the eve of an election by invading Canada and dealing with some BS 'threat'.

You all say we invaded Iraq for the oil? Well, you got more oil than Iraq does.

Were you watching Canadian Bacon again Bart??

[EyeBrock]

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

Rediculous? Really?

is this a term used to describe leftist shenanigans?

Rediculous is for loosers.......

[andyt]

PimpBrewski123 PimpBrewski123:

Lol.

The immigration program, for instance, was only used an example. There are several millions that are thrown, without being actually accounted for. That was only an example. As for military spending, that IMO, is necessary. A country needs its military might. That is being more useful than some of the other programs, that's all.

several millions, i.e., 3 million, isn't going to make for a huge military budget.

Immigrants cost the govt 18 billion more in expenditures than they pay in taxes. Now that would be a good kick in the pants for the military.

I agree with Chomsky, if the discussion is about being a credible deterrent for the US forces, or the Ruskies, then we should be developing our own nukes and delivery systems. Look at how gingerly North Korea is treated for the same reason. With 1/10th the population, and a lower GDP vs the US, we'd never be able to muster a credibel defense from conventional forces. I doubt the US would sit idly by and allow us to do that tho, so all this talk about needing a beefed up military to resist the US is just bullshit.