We always notice a problem after it gets to a point where it becomes extremely challenging to deal with. Our government and others normally ignore the warning signs that point to trouble whether it is global warming, peak oil, or food shortages (translated as food prices) and call those who point them out as representing poor scientific method, and attempt to kill their credibility on Fox News. Then when the problem explodes beyond the manageable we react. Numerous experts pointed out the false profits who preached using corn for ethanol, but that is only one factor contributing to this problem.

The rapid inflation of oil and food prices has now touched many Americans, but not the ones who make policy or the ones who enjoy the SWJ for the most part. Unfortunately we won't feel it until there are riots in our streets, new grass root political parties form, etc.. Equally important (or perhaps more important in the short term) the food inflation is touching huge swaths of the population in South and Southeast Asia, South America, etc., where the population has enjoyed an increasing standard of living for years, now the rug is getting pulled out from under their feet. This will potentially serve as a catalyst for civil unrest and government initiated price controls (a short term fix that will probably make the problem worse in the long run). This is a great rallying call for some insurgent leaders who will exploit anything that makes the government appear illegitimate.


This is a global problem and will require a global response, which means we'll have to cooperate with organizations that we have marginalized in recent years. I think the second and third order effects on our political, social and economic systems will be greater than most assume.