Fiscal Fiasco Round 2: First the F-35, now the Fleet
Author: Bennett R. Coles
Date: May 8, 2013
Date: May 8, 2013
Just when we thought the F-35 Fiasco had gone away…
Welcome to Fiasco Round Two – and this time it’s really important, because we’re talking about ships. Earlier this spring the Canadian government announced that it was paying Irving Shipyards $288 million just to design the new Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) for the Royal Canadian Navy. Not build, just design.
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Colin,Thanks for your comment. I agree that mistrust is self-fulfilling: if you treat people as if they don’t trust you, they will prove you right, no matter what position they started in. I like the fact that you referred to Hobbes’ ‘Leviathan’ – I think he painted a vivid picture in his writing and I even used one of his more famous quotes to start one of my novels:
“Force, and fraud, are in war the two cardinal virtues.”
Let’s hope our Government never considers itself at war with its people.
The Harper government has demonstrated time after time that it is more interested in the illusion of integrity than the reality. It would appear that it has come to the conclusion that Canadians who don’t agree with them are dumb, and can't be trusted with such weighty decisions concerning government expenditure.
One thing is axiomatic: Those who do not trust cannot be trusted, and this government has demonstrated over and over again, that it does not trust the integrity and judgment of its people.
What’s more disturbing about the Harper government's actions, however, is that they seem to have accurately assessed the situation. Sadly, we are as dumb as they think we are.
As long as we continue looking the other way, and pretending they are honest and have our best interests at heart, we are deluding ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln pointed out, "In a democracy we get what we deserve," after all, democracies are government of the people by the people, for the people.
Harper is sharp, Machiavellian even. He understands “good” government is dependent on an informed and educated electorate. By not trusting people, by spinning his illusions and lies, not answering questions—keeping us ignorant!—he can do what he wants.
This government and fundamentalists in general, are so convinced they are right they think the ends justify the means.
Harper’s government has consistently demonstrated it is not subject to the same laws that govern its people—As evidenced again by today’s Senate and robo call scandals—This government considers itself above the law.
The reasoning for this behavior can be found in the thinking of the Scottish philosopher Thomas Hobbes in his book, “Leviathan,” published in 1851. Here he argues that to have and maintain civil order people cannot expect the laws that apply to them to apply to government.
He argues that human beings are by nature, greedy, hostile and aggressive, and left to their own devices are soon at war with one another. Therefore government has an obligation—in the interest of the well being of society, to exercise its power; to pass and enforce laws that government itself is not subject to.
Hobbes is right in many ways. Left to our own devices we are soon at war with one another. But what is the underlying cause of this. Is it not the idea that I can take what I want, when I want, no matter the cost to others; it is mine by divine right, simply for being born.
Modern advertising is brazen on this matter, telling all who will listen: “It’s your right, now go out and get it.” This kind of thinking feeds our propensity for greed and selfishness instead of our propensity for generosity, honesty and kindness.
Hope lies in human nature as well. To abuse people’s trust and expect trust in return demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of how we are as human beings and this failure will eventually put an end to this Government.
Colin Mallard, author of “Stillpoint a novel of war and peace.”