Canadian troop numbers in Afghanistan could increase: Emerson

I understand that with NATO comes specific obligation revolving helping the Americans at war. But I don't see how this is going to help the deficit that the cons have going especially with corporate tax cuts.

Most investments that are made within the country often yield some kind of revenue in the end to offset the expenditures.
However, investing 50 million dollars and 200 Canadian lives to the war in Afghanistan just seems like wasted money (in terms of the fact that it's not going to aid Canada's economy or benefit citizens). Money that Harper doesn't have.

Chretien shouldn't have sent them there in the first place

Would you also support scrapping our Foreign Aid program? I mean we spend millions and the return for Canada is dubious at best...

Just saying, its not the best move finance-wise.

The helicopter deployment will make Canadian troops safer... and that is of greater interest and concern to Canada than Foreign Aid IMO.

Just saying... if we want to save cash lets cut back on non-critical expenditures first.

I find you're understanding of NATO offensive and isnulting. Are we now simply a mercenary group twho's actions are dictated by the "bottom line"?

If this is what you believe, then I'd like you to tell us all the monitary profit we gained from our African or Chinese aid. With all this talk of money, you're sounding like an American there.

sorry I didn't start to waste my time outlining NATO policies....clearly i was trying to make a point...its not the most financially-wise thing to do. Doesn't seem like foreign affairs and economic strategies are on the same page

Are they ever?

For example:
We've been giving poor Chinese farmers about $60k since the great starvation of the 60's. No one can tell me why or when it will end but it dosen't sound like sound fiscal management to me.

sounds like the start of another anti-American rant.

sounds like the start of another anti-American rant.

Without getting into a debate....there are plenty of reasons why people should be anti-American since the Bush Administration took office

This is stupid. Their talking about adding about 250 more troops to our 2500 already there. Since no liberal has any family or friends in the forces, their opinion is purely based on politics. If the troops themselves start to push back and stop volunteering, I'll definately take notice. Till then, this is just BS politics.

Good to see them go. We need the Chinook support.

This is unreal. You do not support canadian troops in afganistan, keeping youre liberal dream of equal rights for all safe in a foreign country for economic issues, yet its ok for canadian tax dollars to aimlessly go into foreign nations? I see you are a liberal. Is a "green shift" in the best economic interests of this country?. The thing I usually understand about liberals is that they have no knowledge of economics whatsoever. If they did, they would not be liberal. You're statements are moronic at best.

Heres the thing that bothers me about people going on about money:

We are there until 2011 it was voted on and approved, so why send our troops what they need to get the job done? What is the problem here...we need airlift capability..we need UAV's...all of this will go to ensure that fewer of our troops are placed in Harms way. Lets do the job to the best of our ability until our commitment is over. That is the Canadian way and even though some of you may disagree it has been that way since day one.