And most likely, not for the last time.
Most Everyone, appears to be up in arms about the Tory Government’s handling of the F35 purchase; even though no purchase has been made – just a proposal to purchase and one that is now in the process of being withdrawn by the same Tory Government most everyone is complaining about.
So where is the Beef?
You have got me?
Had it been a Liberal Government, a deal would have long ago been signed, sealed and delivered and some conglomerate based in la Belle Province would already have pocketed the money.
But that is so yesterday.
Now the denizens bitch about what might have been – but wasn’t.
To all of them I say – “get a life’.
But I digress.
The issue here is not What the Tories did – since they did not do all that much.
Rather, the issue is Why our military chose this particular plane in the first place.
And simply stated, they did not choose it either. Rather NATO did in which admittedly our Military plays a role – albeit a minor one.
So Why did NATO pick the F35?
Readers – I have no idea whatsoever – all I know is that it did. And that is good enough for me.
As an side, had the United Nations recommended the purchase, I would have been opposed for that reason alone.
With Tensions on the rise throughout the world and with China beginning to flex its enormous muscles – we in the Western World need a vibrant, fully functioning NATO for the next 100 years and more. Sadly, to date, it has acted as such in the exception rather than in the norm.
Instead, we have relied upon the United States and before that – Great Britain for our collective defence. But as I have consistently pointed out in previous Blogs, the United States of America is now broke.
Sooner – rather than later, America is going to have to seriously reduce its military spending. It simply cannot continue to fund its out of control debt/deficit, its expanded Health Care, the needs of a growing elderly population, and its 1 in 3 who are content to live on Welfare while continuing to spend nearly 50% of its budget on Defence.
The Western World via NATO will have to pick up the slack, despite the financial challenges that many of its Members Nations also face. It must come down to collective pain if we have any hope of preserving our way of life.
It is then simply nonsense for the Government’s critics to call for Tendering the jet purchase process.
It would be like you or I wishing to buy a car X which the Consumers’ Report cites as the best deal on the market. But in comes your neighbour, who demands that you tender out your purchase. Heaven knows what you would end up with.
That said, there is still a vital role for Western Governments to take into account their own unique situation and needs. In Canada’s case, I would argue that with such an extensive coastline, we should focus on Ships and Subs. And when it comes to NATO, we could offer to take a leading role in this important aspect of NATO Defence.
Again, if our Military believes a Ship or Sub is available which will meet their needs and can be purchased ‘off the shelf’ - then that is what should be done. Not only will it also be cheaper than building our own, it will be available far faster.
Plus I would rather put my faith in our Military deciding what best suits its needs, than a government procurer.
As I see it…
‘K.D. Galagher’
