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Feeding the people is concentrating the minds of many; it is a problem today in the undeveloped world and, if we do not take steps immediately, it will be a problem in the future for the whole world, Western society included.

The main issues in the third world are conflict and civil war, despotic governments, drought and flood, all of which lead to famine and all ensure that those least able to help themselves are the ones who suffer the most the sick, the elderly, the incapacitated and the very young.

The distribution of vital food supplies in areas hit by drought and famine is very often delayed by the leadership who, in many cases, siphon off the goods to sell to those for whom it is freely intended or to store to feed themselves or their loyal staff, including their military personnel. This is one of the ways in which the most tyrannical of leaders can guarantee undying support from those who do his dirty work. It has been reported from inside secretive North Korea that rice and other foodstuffs donated by the Western world are found being sold in the street markets at exorbitant prices; this has actually been captured on hidden camera, while the very vulnerable have been witnessed eating grass and tree bark. The leadership denies this but, of course, it is impossible to verify it one way or the other if access to Western reporters is denied.

We have severe problems right now since the devastating Cyclone Nargis tore through the hearts, lives and souls of Burma; vital aid is standing around when it could, as I type, be saving lives.

I think one of the most important issues we in the West should address is the fact that so many societies shut themselves off from the outside world. Feeding their people now and in the future is always going to be next to impossible unless we work towards a radical solution. The leaders of these nations really do not care about their own people and we should try and educate them, make them realise that their countries could be prosperous and healthy if they were to nurture those who would willingly work towards that prosperity and health, as long as they earned enough to be able to keep their families alive and thriving.

We could help by stopping the sale of arms to dictatorship regimes, therefore, eventually, removing most of their power and leading to a fairer distribution of that power. This would help prevent the many civil wars that erupt, further compounding food shortages. I don't think we can impose our democratic system

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