Food for political thought

Cut in food aid leads to shortage

KAMPONG SPEU, Cambodia - At dawn in a ramshackle elementary school in rural Cambodia, the children think of only one thing: their stomachs. They anxiously await the steaming buckets of free rice delivered to their desks.

But by the end of the month, they will no longer get free breakfast from the U.N. World Food Program. About 450,000 Cambodian students will become the latest victims of soaring global food prices.

Why is this information important to us as the United States?

Rich countries have pledged $469 million for food aid to address what is expected to be a $755 million deficit, due to food prices that have risen 76 percent since December. The U.S., already the largest provider of food aid, is expected to contribute almost a third of that money. If Congress approves, the U.S. will contribute $770 million more to be available after Oct. 1.

I do not want to seem hard hearted here, but the best way to affect political change is through economics, and the biggest economic factor is hunger. If people can't feed themselves they will demand changes that will feed them. Sometimes through a democratic election, and sometimes violently.
Giving food to a "constitutional Monarchy" is no way to spread Democracy. Yes I believe the food programs SHOULD be used for our political gain. You think the oppressive governments getting the food don't use it to their advantage?