South Africa is enjoying the first budget surplus in a generation, and the first ever in recorded African history. Should a county have a budget surplus and low budget deficits, low inflation, no debts etc. in a country where you have 25% unemployment and lots of poverty? It's good to have a country's book's balance, but what if a majority is without food. What about the U.S. case where there are large deficits but people are relatively well-off? I'm just trying to think this through for myself, and would appreciate your thoughts.

As the U.S., Europe and rich countries throw billions in lifeboats to end financial crises, spare a thought for poorer developing nations, who without such means are facing absolute disaster.

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