Comment Text:
I am in my 72nd year, living on a small fixed income on a family farm in an obviously rural area. There is no mass transit system available so I must drive considerable distances when conducting my personal business. The rising cost of gasoline adds to the cost of foods I must purchase that I can't grow myself, while the small amount of my disposable income has been so eroded, my standard of living and quality of life has been severely curtailed.
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.
