Opinion: Let’s link the F-35 decision to U.S. bitumen purchases

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Opinion+link+decision+bitumen+purchases/9932683/story.html



Opinion: Let’s link the F-35 decision to U.S. bitumen purchases
By Doug Firby, Special to The Gazette June 12, 2014

CALGARY -- Canada and the United States have had a long and mostly fruitful trade relationship. But don’t ever consider for a moment that we’re equal partners.

~snip~

Which is where the ill-advised F-35 fighter plane enters the picture.

The F-35 is a controversial aircraft — not just because of the announcement in recent days that it is a danger, for having only one engine. There are plenty of other reasons, including the fact that over its lifespan it will be the most expensive fighter aircraft ever built, and it still can’t deliver all the versatility our military says it needs in a fighter.

In short, it’s a bit like buying a Rolls-Royce to commute to work — expensive to own and maintain, and actually less useful than a Nissan Rogue.