Speculators and the gullible public

[elderflower]

Have any of you noticed how the speculators are steadily conditioning us to accept high prices next year by releasing all kinds of panic inducing snippets about various shortages that might occur IF and when events happen that
could affect the price of different commodities. I remember before the housing boom here how estate agents were "talking up" house prices - a self fulfilling prophecy blown up out of all proportion and not helped by the Media printing and broadcasting the speculation. Remember how Sugar prices went up and never really recovered, likewise flour and chocolate etc.? The same thing happens periodically with fuel prices. We never seem to learn. Elderflower

[teddy]

Elderflower do you think there is anyone who has not read 1984? It should be compulsory reading in all schools. At least we don't have that stupid last goverment trying to tell us that " actually things have got better". Unfortunately we are at the mercy of other countries as well as local forces. The floating crop game is one factor. Container ships sitting offshore waiting for prices to go up because they are carrying a cargo which is in short supply. It happened last year with petrol and the year before with timber much of which ended up in China, causing a shortage over here, and pushing prices up. The best thing England could do is come out of the European market. It is costing us a fortune as we are still subsidising the French farmers while our fields are laying barren. The nett cost of this business is horrific. We import far more than we export further increasing the costs to us all. Stop the horrific fuel taxes which affect the cost of everything we do or buy. Stop buying electricity from France. We are actually subsidising the French users while their increases are pegged by their goverment. Is there anyone in this country who has not noticed the terric increase in the price of food. Down to the speculators or farmers? I don't think so. We also can not afford the increase in the population which is happening because we let anyone into the country. Youv'e committed Murder? Never mind, you have human rights. You encourage the bombing of Enland? Thats OK you have freedom of religion. Charity begins at home. We are bailing out Greece at the moment and soon it may well be Italy, Spain and Portugal. Get ready to pay through the nose, but don't expect to get anything for it. I think the doom mongers out there are doing us all a favour. It will get a lot worse if we do not put our foot down.
teddy the GOM

[dll927]

It has long been true that whenever the citrus growers in Florida think it's time for a price increase, they have a freeze. Interesting how they can arrange that so nicely.

Shortage of WHAT?? There is no shortage. It's just gibberish on the part of the producers of whatever commodity you care to name. It's just a way to sting the public.

[teddy]

Thats the whole point of the floating crop game. Witholding goods untill the price goes up. Individuals do it. Corporations do it. And countries do it.

teddy

[White Knight]

Thats the whole point of the floating crop game. Witholding goods untill the price goes up. Individuals do it. Corporations do it. And countries do it.

teddy

This is what's known as the "dark side" of capitalism, when it is allowed to run largely unfettered without any rational,common-sense regulation. The bottom line--profits--become more important than the people--us--the system is supposed to serve and benefit, at least sometimes, anyway.