Libya has been ruled for 42 years by a cunning, repressive, eccentric dictator who has frequently described his own people as "backwards." More than half of his 6.5 million subjects are under 18. Despite Libya's plentiful oil revenues, which represent most of the national budget, many children suffer from malnutrition and anemia. Under Qaddafi's regime, corruption was rampant, dissidents were brutally suppressed, and many citizens were afraid to say Qaddafi's name in public or in private for fear of attracting suspicion. Instead, Qaddafi was often referred to as "the leader" and his son Seif (until now heir-apparent) as "the principal." Discussing national policy with a foreigner was punishable with three years in prison. Reporters Without Borders described press freedom in Qaddafi's Libya as "virtually non-existent.