Food for thought

Forty-five million Americans now rely on food stamps to make ends meet. The cost of the program has risen from $33 billion in 2005 to $78 billion in 2011. This has made the capitalist class, who has to pay the taxes for such programs, nervous. It eats into profits. Need doesn't come into it, money does.

King Carlos of Spain has been under fire for his lavish lifestyle in the face of Spain's dire economic situation. Trips such as his expensive forays elephant hunting in Africa while fellow Spaniards starve have brought such criticism that he has been forced to hand over his $27 million, forty-one foot yacht, Fortuna (!). Poor boy, but at least he'll save the cost of refuelling it - $26, 400. John Ayers.