Ivision has a column in today's Post that is mostly about defense, and our complete lack of interest in it, but I think you can extend that to a lot more.
In Ivison’s view of the US is pissed because we promise to help rebuild the northern warning system and yet Is doing nothing to accomplish that. He might’ve added that we also promised to increase our defense spending to 2% but this government has been almost defiant in refusing to even attempt to close the gap between what we spend and what we promised. But you might add to that we have a government which takes very little seriously other than virtue signaling. This government says we aren’t even a nation, and have no common identity (except for Quebec, of course, which IS a nation, and protecting its ‘unique’ culture is of paramount importance).
It refuses to stand up to China, and makes sanctimonious noises about other things which it then fails to follow through on like international human rights abuses, it is always a moralizing about things like the environment while failing to do much about it themselves. We rely on the Americans for our defense while sneering at them for their militaristic attitudes. We maintain a sense of smug superiority about our public healthcare system, but really it just rations care in a different way than theirs does by underfunding services to produce the western world’s longest wait times.
The Trudeau government spends all its time figuring out ways to further redistribute money and none on expanding the economy to make the country richer. Anyone can insult and threaten us (Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, China, Russia) and we don’t dare say boo in return.
What exactly is there to respect about this country today?
nationalpost.com
“We look at the Canada-U.S. relationship through the lens of trade and what’s in it for us. We don’t necessarily gain advantage from that,” said Mark Norman, the former vice-chief of the defence staff. He said he would not be surprised if Biden brings up Canada’s defence spending, this country’s position on China and NORAD renewal.
“The bottom line is that this recurring back and forth is likely wearing thin with our neighbours,” said Norman. “Canadians always underestimate how irritated Americans can get with us on this stuff,” said Leslie.
In Ivison’s view of the US is pissed because we promise to help rebuild the northern warning system and yet Is doing nothing to accomplish that. He might’ve added that we also promised to increase our defense spending to 2% but this government has been almost defiant in refusing to even attempt to close the gap between what we spend and what we promised. But you might add to that we have a government which takes very little seriously other than virtue signaling. This government says we aren’t even a nation, and have no common identity (except for Quebec, of course, which IS a nation, and protecting its ‘unique’ culture is of paramount importance).
It refuses to stand up to China, and makes sanctimonious noises about other things which it then fails to follow through on like international human rights abuses, it is always a moralizing about things like the environment while failing to do much about it themselves. We rely on the Americans for our defense while sneering at them for their militaristic attitudes. We maintain a sense of smug superiority about our public healthcare system, but really it just rations care in a different way than theirs does by underfunding services to produce the western world’s longest wait times.
The Trudeau government spends all its time figuring out ways to further redistribute money and none on expanding the economy to make the country richer. Anyone can insult and threaten us (Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, China, Russia) and we don’t dare say boo in return.
What exactly is there to respect about this country today?
John Ivison: Why the U.S. doesn't take us seriously
This is a government that does not take its own national defence seriously, so why should anyone take it seriously?
“We look at the Canada-U.S. relationship through the lens of trade and what’s in it for us. We don’t necessarily gain advantage from that,” said Mark Norman, the former vice-chief of the defence staff. He said he would not be surprised if Biden brings up Canada’s defence spending, this country’s position on China and NORAD renewal.
“The bottom line is that this recurring back and forth is likely wearing thin with our neighbours,” said Norman. “Canadians always underestimate how irritated Americans can get with us on this stuff,” said Leslie.
