if we could shrink the earth's population , page-8

And the 41% who, according to your calculations, do NOT control the world's wealth, still breed like flies and blame everyone but themselves for their plight.

I saw part of a documentary on SBS in which this journalist had been instrumental in convincing the world in the late 80's to help the starving people, especially the children, in Ethipioa. He had just recently returned to that country and was beginning to wonder whether he had done the right thing as, since that time, the POPULATION HAD DOUBLED. As a consequence, the population was again headed for starvatuion AS THE COUNTRY COULD NOT SUSTAIN SUCH AN ENORMOUS POPULATION GROWTH.

These people need help (and yes that includes reducing farm subsidies in US and Europe) but there will not be a long term solution until they learn how to help themeselves (which includes lowering their fertility rate as a prime objective) and learn the facts of economc life.