So North Korea has broken down and is asking for international charity in the form of food for 1.9 million people.

Yet another victory for socialism.

Sometimes I wonder: Wouldn't it maybe be a good idea not to provide aid to countries like North Korea?

I know, I know...we're supposedly helping the people, not the regime. But the longer Kim Jong-il is in power the longer his people will suffer. By providing his people with aid are we not merely prolonging his reign by keeping his people just satisfied enough to avoid a revolution?

Of course, the idea of people starving to death in North Korea seems unbearably cruel...but who is responsible for those deaths? Kim Jong-il, obviously. Which is why I wonder if ultimately we wouldn't be better off denying his country aid and letting him face the wrath of his people alone.

I don't like the idea of people starving any more than the next guy, but as long as Jong-il remains in power people are going to be suffering regardless of the amount of aid we offer. Perhaps its time to let the chips fall where they may.