[j-monster]

and as much as the Conservatives in this country will argue, Paul Martin really is financially responsible man... (check the deficit from 93-02)

I'd only argue that Paul Martin really WAS financially responsible. As a finance minister he did eliminate the deficit and started the trend of Canada ringing up surpluses. But as Prime Minister he is veering towards financial irresponsibility with the latest NDP/Buzz Hargrove-brokered budget.

But enough about that... on to Live 8. On this subject, I agree with VioletlightHeron. Even if the G8 countries cancel all the debts the African countries owe them, and even if these leaders all actually increase their aid payments to 0.7% of GDP as Geldof, Bono, et al. have demanded, many if not most African countries will never have poverty eliminated if their governments are not fixed. Too many countries are politically unstable or are ruled by vicious, thuggish dictators. Unless truly democratic governments are ushered in that respect the will of all people and are willing & able to help the poor support themselves, poverty will remain a major problem in Africa, and if Geldof, Bono, et al. don't realize this then they are sadly naive about the situation.