Its funny when you think of politics in this country, and the people behind the parties, I am talking about the public, the voters. The lib's and the even farther left, who love to fight for their way of thinking and voting, but they are truly very comfortable living and working in the economy that is mainly produced from the hard work of the main sream conservative voter/thinker. I hear all the bleading hearts talking about keeping our military roll small because it sounds really good, but when push comes to shove if a liberal gov't came in to power tommorow they would not reverse this 20 year plan, and their voting supporters would sit comfortably in their recliners, paid for mainly from the tax dollars collected from the hard work of yet again the ones who do most of the work and take the least from the public coffers. If this pisses you off then think of this. You are welome to your opinion but youre wrong, so stop crying and get back to work!

Way to go!! I am sure the opposition parties and the "do gooders" will have plenty to gripe about.

The military and Canadians deserve this and more. I did get one chill from the article, which is the security for the 2010 Olympics here in BC. It has been asked repeatedly; how much and where will the funds come from for the security for 2010. The funds had to be reported in the bid process, but then in the over-budget reports the security component magically disappeared. The undercurrent of this article shows where it will be buried, hopefully not at the expense of another Canadian soldier.

Tell me again why we need any army, or why we have to stengthen our military budget? What purpose does it serve for Canadians at this point?

In a perfect world we wouldn't need a military. Unfortunately we dont' live in one of those and we need to be prepared in the event that some prick decides we look like a good target, and we need to be able to help out a friend when a situation calls for it. It's kind of like asking why do I need to know how to protect myself against getting mugged out on the street, or why do I need to street proof my kid? You shouldn't have to, but because human beings are the way they are, you do.

Frank: Just the fact that you’re asking reveals your scary political stance.

Armed forces are for war (my favorite), peace keeping, helping disaster relief and so much more. Actually mandatory service for 2 years would do a lot of good to our young men and women.

Mandatory service would not do any good to our young men and women. You can't have a millitary filled with people forced to do so. Not in Canada anyway. Would you want the front line of a war fought with Emo kids thinking they are playing GTA4?
The Military is stronger when it is filled with people who want to be there and feel they have a duty to their country and the people in it.

But Freddie, you can't just blame the Liberals for this one. Mulroney lead the country for a long time as well.

Yes Argie: Because conscription has worked so well everywhere all over the world. Once again you are laughable because the way you think every wrong in this world would be righted, would be if every youngster went to catholic school then went into the military and walked out carrying a bible in one hand and gun in the other. Andrew asking Freddiep not to blame the liberals for everything that is wrong in his life or what he perceives as wrong around him is like asking him not to breath.

Frank: Many western civilized countries like Greece, Sweden, Israel and many more have mandatory military service. Not sure how long it is but it would do the youth of this country a lot of good. I’m not saying send these kids off to a war but having them serve their country would benefit them & their county.

What’s your solution?