Heap Big Smoke But No Fire

The Liberal budget commitment to spend $12.8 billion on national defence is all smoke and mirrors. Major General Lou Mackenzie pointed out on CTV yesterday that the plan is to spend only an additional $500 million in each of the next two fiscal years.

Given the commitment to add 5,000 regular forces personnel and 3,000 reservists, and the near complete rust out of the Force's equipment this new money isn't enough to purchase enough rust paint to keep the Rube Golberg machine running.

Of the promised big dollars reinvestment $8 billion is really recycling of existing spending commitments, not targeted until three, four and five years from now, and what little is new is so far to the edge of the political radar screen as to be worthless political posturing.

Have a look at Babbling Brooks for some of the grisly details.

Bah humbug!