Comment Text:
My name is Carol Batchelder. I am semi-retired, married (my husband is retired) and we are worried about meeting our financial obligations in the current economic environment. Food, gas (all necessities) simply keep on rising, while out income is stagnant. It is so frightening. I am almost 70 and still working to allow us to stay current on costs of living.
Please 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.
Please give this request your careful consideration.
The CFTC should not allow exemptions or exceptions that undermine the rule, and should not give any exemptions to banks, hedge funds or other financial players.
Thank you,
Carol J. Batchelder
