The US produces more of virtually every agricultural commodity than we use. (Although use of corn for biofuel has greatly reduced that excess production.) However, we already export (essentially) all of that excess to other countries. We are the world’s largest rice exporter, for example. The problem is that incomes have risen so much in the Third World over the past six years that consumption is outstripping worldwide production, leading to declines of carry-over grain reserves of several critical food commodities. There’s literally not enough food being produced to feed everyone right now.

This has been exacerbated by the hoarding phenomenon caused by speculative investments by the world’s capitalists in food commodities, due to the lack of other investment opportunities brought on by the evaporation of the capital market for mortgage-backed securities in the US and Europe.

And, when we finally realize that even a low to middle class family gets paid more in a month than MANY families get paid in a year in Third World countries, that if a collection of just a tiny percent of our salaries could make all the difference. $1 feeds a child in Africa for one whole day. That makes a whole world of difference. Taking little steps like these are what starts the revolution.

First of all, Haiti is NOT an African country. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, just a few miles away from Florida!

Secondly, and more complicated, the current food crisis has been brought on specifically BECAUSE Third World nations have “gone to work” out pacing industrialized nations in economic growth by three or four to one over the last six years. A hundred million or more people are now no longer poor and they have consumed the world’s entire excess capacity to produce food and energy.

But the real causes of poverty that need to be addressed are issues of power, not economics or logistics. And it’s the relative power between elites in first world countries and the masses of, now mostly urban, poor in third world countries where the problems of food security originate.

Have you done any reading about modern-slavery in Haiti? There are many men, women and children in that region that have worked harder than we could ever know. Have you read about the fact that until just recently they were being trafficked to sugar plantations in neighboring countries and paid in food vouchers instead of cash AND taxed for their food items? Although currently paid cash, you may consider reading about the daily work schedule and salary arrangements endured by these people. You may also consider reading a little about the history of Haiti. Haitian’s have been dealing with this problem for hundreds of years. I almost feel as though you beg the questions…

I understand your frustration, however, the black community is not based upon receiving aid. It is almost impossable to grow their own food like what could be grown here in America. Africa is not the ideal place to grow food. It is not about how many times people look for help, it matters that they need help. With the way the African government is, it is no surprise to me that there are as many issues as what Africa is facing today.