Comment Text:
My name is Andria Herron. I drive 20 minutes each each direction to and from work. As well as once a month I visit my ageing parents that are 3 hours away.
I am a Chef & Dining Room Manager and Sommelier. Food & Wine are my business. We have seen a significant decrease in business this last month since the major increase in gas prices. This IS affeting small businesses in a BIG way. My tip income has been cut in half due to the lack of customers. This sentiment has been shared by many, many others in my industry. The prices of Food & Gas directly affect the spending habits of our customers and restaurants are one of the first to feel the impact. Please help us.
I urge you to curb excessive gambling in commodities markets like food and oil.
While many factors contribute to today’s highly volatile commodity prices, it is clear that excessive speculation is partially responsible, as shown in dozens of studies by respected institutions such as Princeton, MIT, Petersen Institute, University of London, Yale, the United Nations and the U.S. Senate.
Speculation thus imposes financial hardships on families around the country. Sudden rises in gas and food prices force us to make difficult decisions and sacrifices. Especially right now, with so many families struggling, and unemployment barely beginning to decrease, we cannot allow speculators to unduly affect our food and gas prices.
Please put in place effective position limits rules, and do not allow them to be undermined by exemptions or exceptions, or allow Wall Street gamblers to escape them.
Thank you for your consideration.
