huskerbob

Who's to Blame for the Commodities Boom?

Sliv is correct in that there aren't enough resources for everyone. But won't the spiraling cost of commodities eventually curb the population?
There are a lot of articles mentioning the "problem" of high commodity prices. But don't those prices help solve the problems of overconsumption, pollution, overpopulation, etc.?
At least this article points out that bad fiscal policy is pushing more money into commodities instead of blaming speculators.

Who's to Blame for the Commodities Boom?

Yes! We need to end this ridiculous practice of letting the markets set prices. Why not have a central planning committee set a "fair" price for all goods and commodities, so that all can afford them, and no one is denied anything. Then we can have shortages of everything!
Like many others have stated, if the price is "wrong", profit from it! Then you can give those profits from your abilities to each according to his needs.
Shortages drive prices higher which spurs production and reduces demand which drives prices lower.
The problem now is it's harder to boost production of many commodities, but high prices will pay for research, development, and marketing of replacements(like solar for coal, algae-derived fuel for diesel, etc.), and will spur people to find alternatives or modify their consumption. If we "fix" these high prices instead of letting the market provide solutions, we should get used to permanent shortages.