Six questions about the jet fighters

In the midst of an economic recession and unemployment, compounded with poverty and accompanying social ills, the Harper government has decided to spend $9 billion on sixty-five new F-35 fighter jets for Canada. This of course is the same government which is apparently advocating reigning in spending and cutbacks. Right after spending approximatley $1 billion on the G8 and G20 Summits. And what do we need sixty-five F-35 fighter jets for? To combat gangs and organized crime? Lockheed-Martin's same F-35s which have been cost overruns?

From the Green Party of Canada:

Ottawa – The Government’s announcement regarding the purchase of 65 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed-Martin raises a number of questions and concerns. Elizabeth May, Leader of the Greens, says that these are questions for which Canadians deserve an answer.

Where is the security policy rationale for $9 billion in fighter jets?

What happened to the additional $7 billion contract in maintenance?

In what scenario are we fighting air to air combat?

Why have we ignored the criticism in the US Congress of Lockheed-Martin on these very jets for 50% cost over-runs, to date?

What happened to the spending freeze in the defence budget to fight the deficit?

What are the opportunity costs of this giant spending spree while Canada's schools close, health care suffers, infrastructure crumbles, and greenhouse gases soar?

“The opposition party - the Liberals - have already indicated that this deal will be reviewed and potentially cancelled if they are elected. It therefore becomes the fiscal responsibility of the Conservatives - as a minority government on the eve of an election - to ensure that any contract signed has a no-penalty opt-out for at least one year. Failure to do this due diligence will reflect directly on the Conservatives and they will be the ones held accountable for any future penalties,” said Eric Walton, International Affairs critic.