by Patrick Appel
Frum wants America to resume food aid to Egypt:
The outcome of the power struggle in Egypt remains uncertain. But the outcome of the economic struggle is easy to foresee: whoever emerges with power including Mubarak himself should he survive will want to resume food subsidies to allay public discontent. Yet Egypt’s economy will be in even worse shape post-protests than before. No democracy in Egypt can survive without an early improvement in the bread situation. So how to pay? International help seems the obvious answer. Yes, reform will be needed in time. Bread is needed now. Which leads back to the first question for those Americans who urge democracy upon a food-short Egypt: How much would you be willing to see America contribute?
It’s no good wishing for a new form of government if you then deny that government the means of survival.