Support For The Military Has Fizzled.

PM Harper started out strong with his visit to Afghanistan. Finally the troops were getting the equipment and support they needed and deserved. Canadians came out to Red Fridays to show their support, people began actively displaying their support for our troops for the first time in decades, the Highway of Heroes is a prime example of grass roots support, which thankfully is still going strong.

Then, it all fizzled. When is the last time that the Prime Minister has visited Afghanistan? I can't remember. All we hear now is that the mission will end in 2012. What a slap to the faces of our men and women who have poured their hearts, souls and in 146 cases their lives into our mission in Afghanistan. I am sickened by the opposition dictating to Parliament that our mission must end, but I am also just as disappointed with the Conservatives for not fighting it harder. Remember that the government DOES NOT have to consult Parliament on matters of national security, so if the government wanted to they could extend the mission.

I know Quebec doesn't support the mission, but they didn't support WWII either, so why are the Conservatives letting them have more power than they deserve? It's become all about votes, and that saddens me. Our troops should never be used as political pawns. The opposition has made them a political target, and the Conservatives are doing nothing to stand up for our troops.

The Conservatives distinguished themselves with their support for our troops early on, and the plans for the Arctic met with great support, but that has all fizzled, they are now no different than the opposition. They are so intent on winning a majority that they have forgotten what got them into power in the first place.

I am strongly supportive of our military, and I feel the Conservatives have abandoned them, I wonder how much more betrayed the people in the military feel. The opposition has been pounding our military for political gain, this is backfiring on them. Canadians are patriotic. We might not show it, but it is deeply ingrained in our identity.

I want the Conservatives to come out in support of our troops again. I do not want Canada to abandon the women and children of Afghanistan. I do not want us to cut and run. I do not want us to retreat like the opposition and Quebec want. Winning votes in Quebec is not worth it. Our troops have been in the toughest part of Afghanistan for years, and they have been making progress, now we are telling them that because it is not politically expedient, they must give up. It sucks. It makes my stomach churn with disgust. Disgust at all political parties, who are making our military a political target.

Our people in the military are human beings, not robots. They have families who love them, they have feelings. The opposition have done their best to smear them, and they are not allowed to fight back. It is up to us to show our support. Why isn't our government fighting for them anymore? Why are they allowing the opposition and media to define the issue? Maybe they should show Canadians the human side of our troops, like this video:



Maybe Conservative MP's should get back to their roots, and get the stale, poisoned Ottawa air out of their heads.