Re: “New apartments to ease military housing crunch,” Oct. 17.

Only the government could celebrate overspending other people’s money. Acquiring property for military housing is reasonable and necessary — but paying millions above the asking price for a foreclosed building, then hosting a celebration, is outrageous.

This isn’t about meeting housing needs; it’s about reckless spending with no accountability.

The building’s purchase price exceeded both the listed and market value, yet officials justified it as a “requirement” because the facility needed to be vacant.

Meanwhile, similar, newly constructed properties near the base — already occupied by service members — were available for far less. Still, urgency and bureaucratic panic took precedence over fiscal responsibility.

The rush to buy stemmed from a desire to meet NATO spending deadlines, not from genuine necessity.

Instead of managing resources wisely, decision-makers prioritized optics and compliance over prudence. This pattern reflects a deeper dysfunction in government spending: inefficiency disguised as progress.

Ultimately, this episode underscores a painful truth — stupidity in government often costs more than corruption.

Overspending and poor planning not only waste taxpayer money but also erode public trust. What should have been a straightforward investment in military infrastructure turned into a symbol of fiscal irresponsibility.

A celebration was the last thing this decision deserved; consequences were what it truly warranted.

Robin Kelley

Saanich

Re: “New apartments to ease military housing crunch,” Oct. 17.

Excellent to hear the military is buying a few existing apartments for their people.

If 600 people are still on the housing list, they........

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