This mornings Drugdge Report at the --- UPI Local News (California) has article about Assembly Bill on its' way up the government ladder. Assembly Bill limits price increases to l0% for emergency supplies, food, etc. Check it out. I intend to indicate my support to my Assemblyman. p.s. Greetings to all..have a great day.

-- Old Gramma (Gotitincalif@webtv.net), April 13, 1999

Answers

That would be an interesting irony. Koskinenbones says the system can't supply everyone with a pound of beans. Now take away the pricing function and I guess the bean fields will lie fallow. Sounds like another good idea to me. Heck, let's just go bomb another dictator . . . but NO GROUND TROOPS!

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), April 13, 1999.

Define price gouging. Sort of like hoarding? When the government does it, it's stocking up and when I do it,it's hoarding.

Seems to me that price is the result of supply and demand. Sure was after Hurricane Andrew when the price of plywood went sky high partly because the high demand meant it had to be shipped in from other states.

So as the price of generators goes up,is that price gouging, just because the ones with foresight bought theirs last year cheaper? (no, I don't sell them, don't have one or intend to--just using that as an example)

What good will that law be if we ever reach the point where 50# of rice will be worth $500. It could happen!

Got enough fruitcake?

-- sue (deco100@aol.com), April 13, 1999.

Yet another example of why it's better to be _from_ California than _in_ California! As usual, the mush-brained folks who want to protect us from freely entering into transactions harm the very ones they claim to be helping. Price increases during shortages clearly cause replacement supplies to be made and delivered far more quickly than they would if the increased incentive of higher prices did not exist. I would sure rather have the opportunity to buy a needed item at a higher price, than be happy in the knowledge that the price is still normal, but none are available. Duh!

I guess it sounds more "compassionate" in a 10-second sound bite to demonize those who advocate allowing the free market to work.

An excellent piece by Karen Selick called "Theres Some Good in Gouging" is at:

http://www.nextcity.com/go/KarenSelick/GM980124.html

A quick and worthwhile read, especially for those who may have the silly notion that price controls during a shortage are in any way useful.

-- Randy Jones (randyjones@techie.com), April 13, 1999.

You people are GREAT! Thanks for the input as it helps me to respond to my Assembly person. I do intend to support the author as it is at least a mention of what could happen re: y2k. California seems (to me) to be almost silent on the upcoming problems. Maybe it is just where I live but I sometimes feel surrounded by DGI's. It seems like everyone thinks that nothing will happen and if it does, it can be "fixed" in no time. I am not so sure about that. We have had some problems with outages that take quite a bit of time and then it is patched up. What happens when there is a big problem? Who knows..... I am hoping that nothing goes wrong as I am sure most of us do. But, having worked in a State faclity for twenty years (retired now) I am only too aware that the State makes the rules and breaks the rules depending upon what is happening financially. I still am glad to see someone at the upper level of government at least talking about basic needs at all. Maybe it will wake a few people up...hopefully. I don't want to be the only one in my area ready ..just in case. Thanks again for the input. Have a good night.

-- Old Gramma (Gotitincalif@webtv.net), April 13, 1999.

Brilliant bill. Oh yeah.

So, I would buy and save certain things if I knew they'd be good money makers for me, then they'd be part of what was available on the black market once TSHTF.

But heck, if I can't make more than 10% more than "perfectly normal pre-Y2K" prices off them -- even though the REAL economy may indicate they're worth 800% more -- why should I bother. I'll buy more food for myself and the products can find their own way to community, because it ain't a high enough investment on my return. Right?

(Why is it that I feel so certain that it's a Democrat sponsoring that bill.) Do these people grow up in plastic bubbles or what? Do they just not THINK?

PJ in TX

-- PJ Gaenir (fire@firedocs.com), April 13, 1999.