Image Credit: The Canadian Press

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: I can’t believe I’m agreeing with The Donald

Mar 29, 2024 | 6:00 AM

I MUST BE CAUGHT UP in a transformation of some sort. Fitting weekend for that to happen, I suppose.

I don’t agree with Donald Trump about anything. His thoughts are almost totally out of sync with reality. To me, he represents the worst the world has to offer. But his comments recently about NATO countries and their defence spending harbour a small grain of truth.

Not the stupid rant about leaving countries on their own to deal with the Kremlin horde if they don’t pay their way as part of the alliance. Those comments are part of Donald’s isolationist strategies that lead most of us to think the man is insane and unfit to lead. But on the much larger scale, that of holding up their own country’s obligations, Trump does have a point.

When countries join NATO, they promise to support each other. There are no checklists or boxes to fill in to join. Countries must be democratic and working their way toward a market economy, two of only five points applicants must agree to adhere to. While none of the five principles contain rules relating to exact amounts of money, there is certainly an expectation that members will provide a certain portion of their budget toward defence spending, which implies a commitment of support to NATO.

Donald says if you don’t pay, you shouldn’t expect help. And I think, in general, it’s a reasonable expectation. Why does the US have to foot the bill? Everyone knows without the U.S., there is no support or protection. Britain and Germany are major contributors, but many smaller countries don’t have resources to commit huge amounts. And, you know, we don’t expect them to pay a lot. We do, however, expect some contribution.

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Canada is one of the worst offenders. We have so little committed to defence, it’s pitiful. With so many miles of coastline to defend, we have no navy or air force to speak of. So much pressure to defend the Arctic, particularly with more water being opened up with climate change, and we have no ships or planes to defend our sovereignty, so we rely on the U.S. to help. But is it really fair to expect that? In Canada, the U.S. has a more vested interest because of our proximity. Not so with other countries.

No, behind his stupidity and lack of morals, Trump has a point here. Time to put up or shut up.

Now I must leave you to destroy my laptop after suggesting The Donald is right about something. Seriously, though, this is an issue the U.S. must face, no matter who is at the country’s helm after the November election. And countries like ours have to face the issue, too.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.