Well isn't this reminiscent of any socialist country ....damn.
Wal-Mart is immediately rationing rice across the United States...

Wal-Mart Rations Rice, Warns of "Supply and Demand" Concerns

I don't really see how you can call it "socialism" when it's being done by a private company.

Four bags of rice per visit is rationing? Pure fear mongering.

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I think at this point there needs to be a focus on an immediate increase in spending and I think this is a time when deficit fear has to take a second seat . . . I believe later on there should be tax increases. Speaking personally, I think there are a lot of very rich people out there whom we can tax at a point down the road and recover some of the money."
-- Barney Frank, October 20, 2008

If by "socialism" you mean "capitalism", then I agree. Or would you call allowing a private company to control its own inventory "socialist" while government intervention to tell it how to manage its inventory would be "capitalist"?

And, what about companies who limit the amount of alcohol someone can purchase? Is that long standing blue-law also socialist?

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson

Only if you first agree that the United States has, indeed, become a corporatocracy.

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

For Pete's sake people....I am not seriously saying this is socialist for crying out loud. (I am changing the name - didn't expect people to take that seriously)
This belongs in economic forum because the reason for the rationing is expected rice shortage, Cosco is also rationing.
The price of rice is rising and expected to rise exponentially.

Remember the old and the poor people folks - they eat rice as a staple part of their diet.

I figured that was a joke, which is why I gave my post the wink smilie.

But yeah... looks like the food shortage is hitting home.

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

Oh hell! I've got to make jambalaya for 50 people on Thursday and red beans and rice for 100 people on Sunday!!! Guess going to Sam's is out of the question.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

I didn't see my invitation

LOL It's for the dart teams at the bar. You can definitely come if you want!!!

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Hmm..drive 17 hours for rice and beer....don't suppose you guy could meet me half way?

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson

I live in silicon valley and indeed, at the Costcos here for instance, rice was in short supply, they told you that you would be sold rice on a the basis of your past purchases if you wanted more than 2 bags......that Costco exists for folks who make a habit of buying in bulk, that’s ridiculous as even if you bought 5 per visit there wasn’t enough anyway and they were asking that you not stockpile…

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No individual can plan his own existence in their view.

So the state planners must arrogate to themselves the right to manipulate any sector of the economic system if the good of “society” or the “general welfare” is paramount.

Ipso- if the rights of the individual get in the way, the rights of the individual must be sublimated.

The Road to Serfdom
FA Hayek (interpretation)


Mortgage Backed Security survivor

Maybe people will now realize how fucking stupid it is to put food in our gas tanks.

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

Right on. Another thing that bugs me is that this is being blamed on environmentalists when really we should be blaming producers of ethanol who are attempting to push it as green when it really isn't as a way to make a fortune.

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"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"