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[alwaysfishn]

The analogy doesn't make sense. Canada lacks a long-term realistic strategy for our armed forces and we're not about to get one from the Harper government. I have no idea what bogeymen we are preparing to do battle with. If we're international peace-keepers, we need ground troops and specialists to assist with rebuilding infrastruture and economies, not frigates and destroyers to shell the populace. If we're on the guard for domestic terrorists, we need better internal security systems, not fighter jets giving us summer air shows. If we're defending our claim to our Arctic territories, we need Coast Guard icebreakers and Arctic stations and an infrastructure that supports the aboriginal communities that call it home. Now that kind of "military" investment of our precious tax dollars is something I could support.

That's an argument that folks around the world make when they see the amount of money spent on fending off "bogey men". Using the argument of it couldn't happen here does not cut it. I'll leave it to the experts to determine how much and where to spend money on defending our borders. I'd be curious knowing where you got the idea that Canada lacks a long term military strategy.

I would think that owning a few jets would be an essential tool for defending our Arctic Territories.

[StillAqua]

I would think that owning a few jets would be an essential tool for defending our Arctic Territories.

Defending them against what, AF? An invasion? The Russians? The Americans? Think it through......

[JAwrey]

Defending them against what, AF? An invasion? The Russians? The Americans? Think it through......

Not so much a defense against a literal threat, but more against the threat of claim of ownership.  The minerals and natural resources within the arctic are valuable, prolific and very much worth defending.

J

[JAwrey]

"Why not look at...draft beer...5 draft beer ...draft beer...buy now...

*Edited for emphasis on most relevant issues*

[troutbreath]

Looks like the Liiberals are busy using your tax money paying off their cronies to do the HST vote. So scum sucking fitting that only a loser could defend their non tending of government contracting. Well alwaysphishing what your take on that. Or you going to do a Kevin falcon.

[alwaysfishn]

Looks like the Liiberals are busy using your tax money paying off their cronies to do the HST vote. So scum sucking fitting that only a loser could defend their non tending of government contracting. Well alwaysphishing what your take on that. Or you going to do a Kevin falcon.

Do you and Novabonker use the same writers? 

[troutbreath]

Thats what I expected.

[Easywater]

Canada lacks a long-term realistic strategy for our armed forces and we're not about to get one from the Harper government.

Heard the armed forces have recently been ordered to reduce their numbers by several thousand.

[Sandman]

If we're international peace-keepers, we need ground troops and specialists to assist with rebuilding infrastruture and economies, not frigates and destroyers to shell the populace. If we're on the guard for domestic terrorists, we need better internal security systems, not fighter jets giving us summer air shows. If we're defending our claim to our Arctic territories, we need Coast Guard icebreakers and Arctic stations and an infrastructure that supports the aboriginal communities that call it home. Now that kind of "military" investment of our precious tax dollars is something I could support.

FYI,  Canada's role in "peacekeeping" has always over shadowed her role in "Peacemaking", but only in the public's consciousness. The latter has actually dominated Canadian military history and it is in the latter that we have been most successful.  While our role in Egypt in 56 was a great success and earned then PM Pearson a Nobel Prize for peace, our stints in Bosnia, Somalia, and Rwanda were dismal failures at keeping the peace.  In our "Peacemaking" role, Canada has had its greatest military successes, despite the failure of our government to properly outfit them: in WWI at Vimy Ridge, in WWII at Orotona and the Neatherlands, and in South Korea during the defense of the Kapyong valley, Hill 677, and Hill 355.   Currently our military has performed admirably well in Afghanistan, again in spite of their outdated gear (they were sent to a desert war wearing forest green camo), and despite being given a herculean task that many argue cannot be won.  In both WWI and WWII Canada's greatest contribution was in protecting shipping traffic across the Atlantic.  In Korea our initial response was Naval Support of the landing at Inchon.

"In providing that support a total of eight ships of the Royal Canadian Navy joined their UN and ROK navy colleagues, per-forming a great variety of tasks. They maintained a continuous blockade of the enemy coast; prevented amphibious landings by the enemy; and supported the United Nations land forces by the bombardment of enemy-held coastal areas, and attacks by carrier-borne aircraft. In addition, they protected the friendly islands and brought aid and comfort to the sick and needy of South Korea's isolated fishing villages."

(Veterans Affairs Canada)
In the 1991 Gulf War our Navy again protected NATO ships in the Gulf.  While you might question what role a navy has in the modern warfare, remember it was thoughts of the irrelevance of jet airplanes in a world of ICBMs that led to the scrapping of Canada's Avro Arrow.  30 years later we can look back and note that EVERY military engagement since the Korean War has made primary use of jet airplanes.  If we do not want to continue to rely on the US to provide our security, some investment in the military appears to be needed.  The investment in naval and air forces has traditionally been the focus to allow Canada to provide effective military contributions to international obligations, while limiting the number of Canadian soldiers placed in the direct front lines combat, as they are in Afghanistan today.

[Novabonker]

This is the same Washington Marine Group who hired Bruce Clark, brother to Christy Clark, as a lobbyist we're talking about isn't it? That smells pretty bad......

[StillAqua]

Not so much a defense against a literal threat, but more against the threat of claim of ownership.  The minerals and natural resources within the arctic are valuable, prolific and very much worth defending.

J

That example makes my point exactly JAwrey.....the only other nations that have any territorial claim in the Arctic are the US, Russia, Norway and Denmark and we've signed a treaty (Law of the Sea) that sets out the mechanism to resolve these claims in international court. And claims have been filed and will eventually be resolved according to the treaty. So what's the threat there we're preparing for? A firefight with Russia or the US over parts of the continental shelf? Not bloody likely. So like I said, what we need are infrastructure and support for the aboriginal residents, surveillance aircraft (or satellites) that can collect a variety of data and ice breakers that establish a working presence, not a few very expensive jet fighters doing saber-rattling forays. This is where our current Canada First defence strategy is lacking....a realistic future risk assessment (rather than just more of the same). What are the real future threats and risks we need to prepare for? The world and technology are changing fast......

[Novabonker]

Looks like the Liiberals are busy using your tax money paying off their cronies to do the HST vote. So scum sucking fitting that only a loser could defend their non tending of government contracting. Well alwaysphishing what your take on that. Or you going to do a Kevin falcon.

http://www.publiceyeonline.com/archives/006249.html

AF belongs to the elite- he doesn't answer questions when they aren't easy or suit his agenda.

HOW COURAGEOUS! HOW COMMITTED! HOW TYPICAL!
It reminds me of a politician.

[troutbreath]

Your right about af, his non answer said volumes though.

[Novabonker]

http://alisonbate.ca/maritime/maritime-8/
oh, the HUMANITY! 40 million isn't near enough for these poor , desperate folks. Please help alleviate this horrid squalor by writing your premier and telling her to keep the HST because we need to help them and so many others in the same circumstances. with the obviously bleak future. I think 200 million is more in line with what we citizens need to show how much we care and what benevolent folk we truly are. Please, if you can help - anything, pennies, quarters, nickels. 100 dollar bills forward themto the Washingtons. You'll sleep better if you do.

[Nicole]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I haven't posted much as of late, been far too busy to participate in the past few months. Here are my few cents regarding the this topic...

As many of you know, the HST is designed to shift tax away from business and onto the consumer. I am personally against the tax due to my position against supporting the expansion of oil, gas, and mining exploration in this province.

As a refresher, here are few examples of where the HST removes money from your wallet:

When you try and fix up or sell your house:

• Real estate commissions (translates to an extra $2,500 on selling a 500K house)
• legal/notary fees, commissions and other closing costs
• Home Inspections
• EnergyStar windows
• Thermal insulation, weather stripping, and caulking
• Smoke detectors valued less than $250
• Food producing plants and trees
• Household moving services
• Repair to certain household appliances
• Repair, maintenance or renovation services for real property
• Landscaping, lawn-care, private snow removal, and house cleaning
• Interior design services


Day to Day Hits:

• Basic cable television
• Local residential phone
• Restaurant meals
• Hair stylists/barbers
• Taxis
• Motor vehicle parking
• Accounting services
• Newspapers
• First aid kits
• Certain school supplies
• Magazines
• Adult sized clothing for children
• Shoe repair
• Tailoring services
• Dry cleaning
• Used adult clothing purchased for less than $100
• Snack foods
• Computer software repair services
• Esthetician services
• Cigarettes
• Cigars
• Chewing tobacco
• Veterinarian services



When You're Sick:

• Massage therapy services
• Over-the-counter medications
• Vitamins


When You Want to Have Some Fun:

• Admission to professional sporting events
• Domestic air, rail and bus travel originating in British Columbia
• Movie tickets
• Safety helmets for sports
• Golf memberships and driving range fees
• Ballet, karate, trampoline, hockey, soccer lessons, etc.
• Tickets for live theatre
• Admission to museums and art galleries
• Music concerts
• Ski lift passes
• Fishing Guiding Services
• Children's sized ski boots
• Hockey rink and rental halls
• Music or video purchased and downloaded electronically
• Catering and event planning services
• Wedding planning services
• Camping sites



When You Want to Get healthy:

• Gym and athletic memberships
• Bicycles
• Fitness trainers
• Nicotine replacement products



When You Die:

• Funeral services


A vote for "No" will open the flood gates to mining exploration in BC; you'll help foreign multinationals save 7% on their costs to take what's yours as a matter of fact, they will no longer pay any tax on costs, nor on what they export.

http://www.hstinbc.ca/building_the_economy/industry_specific/mining

B.C.’s mining sectors will benefit significantly from the HST as both their business inputs and their exports are no longer taxed. The HST will help put the B.C. mining sector on a more level playing field with their competitors.

With the HST, these businesses can recover the HST they pay on their business inputs by claiming Input Tax Credits. Input Tax Credits for the HST work the same way they did for the GST. Before the HST, businesses could recover only the 5 per cent GST – they couldn’t get back any of the 7 per cent PST paid. Now most businesses can recover the full 12 per cent HST paid.

The HST is expected to result in savings of about $80 million for the mining and oil and gas sector, which has lately been seeing some of the largest profits in history.