Beyond The Commons

Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

'Defence policy if necessary, but not necessarily defence policy'

by Aaron Wherry on Friday, November 19, 2010 11:56am - 12 Comments

Randall Wakelam wonders about what we’re doing and where we’re going.

Conventional wisdom was that voters have, at most, a six-month memory for inexplicable government decisions. Do politicians today employ that same wisdom? If they do, it would certainly explain how and why we buy fighter aircraft without a clear explanation of need; why we allowed ourselves to lose Camp Mirage in the UAE because of civilian landing rights in Calgary and Vancouver that have nothing to do with security and defence matters; and why we are now staying on in Afghanistan for three years in a yet to be defined mission.

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  • Emily

    But we DO know about white envelopes in Quebec.

    • ex-canuck

      irrelevant.

      • Emily

        Yes, it's irrelevant.

  • MostlyCivil

    Well, to be fair, the "six-month" concept can be extended by simply wearing a "Fly Emirates" baseball cap near a reporter…

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Ottawa_Centrist Ottawa_Centrist

    Until there is an electable opposition, the Conservatives don't have to worry about explanations and justifications for their decisions. The only cudgel Canadians hold over their elected representatives is the vote, and until another party can threaten to bring down that cudgel the Conservatives won't be accountable.

    The spirit of democracy implies explanations are owed to voters for such decisions, but democracy is an imperfect system and voters do not have sufficient recourse to enjoy the spirit of democracy, only articulated democratic tradition– which is and always will be flawed since such traditions are based on respect for the spirit of democracy, which is assumed rather than demanded.

  • danby

    Declining voter turnout would indicate that the lack of respect for the spirit of democracy is endemic to more than just our government(s).

  • CAPS

    Sadly I agree with you. This government just waits things out on every issue that they cock-up and figure it will just go away … and sadly the media coverage and opposition shouting do.

  • Emily

    There's nobody to vote for.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Ottawa_Centrist Ottawa_Centrist

    Very true! Everyone has a non-mandatory civic duty; it's part of our somewhat articulated social contract!

  • danby

    I sure wish I could argue with you

  • Mandatory Jedi

    I prefer my government to make everything mandatory….

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Ottawa_Centrist Ottawa_Centrist

    Good to know. Fly Air Canada.

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