As gas prices, our grocery bills, and all other things keep rising I have found myself getting scared.  It seems very end-of-the-worldish.  I’m just saying its kind of scary.

I think back to things I’ve read about the great depression and I see very frightening similarities to today.  I think of the novels by the philosopher Ayn Rand and find myself alarmed.  The political and fiscal environment seems to be right out of Atlas Shrugged.  I ask you Who is John Galt?

Several years ago I floated a theory that the book was written about Ayn Rands young, saxaphone player, and math wizard friend whose name is Alan Greenspan.  I would tell anyone who listened that as soon as he left his post, the worlds economy would slowly fall to peices.

It wasn’t overnight like I imagined, but in a year or so look where we are. Perhaps he is John Galt?  Who knows, but I do know that things are getting very dark.

This morning, as I was surfing the web I came across an interesting press release from Wal-Mart.  They have begun to ration rice…Is this a joke? Does anyone know?

Wednesday, Apr. 23 2008
Wal-Mart Rations Rice, Warns of “Supply and Demand” Concerns

Wal-Mart, the worlds largest retailer, said on Wednesday that it would ration the amount of rice each customer can purchase because of recent supply and demand trends.

We are limiting the sale of Jasmine, Basmati and Long Grain White Rices to four bags per member visit, the company said in a statement. This is effective immediately in all of our U.S. clubs, where quantity restrictions are allowed by law.

Wal-Mart (WMT: 57.15, +0.60, +1.06%) is the first major grocer to limit the purchasing of a commodity because of the recent run up in prices. The company said it is not limiting the purchase of other basic food products like flour or oil.

The price of rice, which is the primary foodstuff for the majority of the human population around the world, rose to $894 a metric ton according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association. Thats compared to the $327.25 a ton average price in the same month last year.

In Chicago, the price of export-quality rice rose to $24.745 per 100 pounds on Tuesday.

The run up in price in rice is primarily related to poor harvests and countries curbing exports. Thailand, Asias largest exporter of rice, said it may curb exports.

The World Food Program called the recent run up in prices of rice and other basic commodities a silent famine.

Wal-Mart did not say when the rationing would end, but it was working with our suppliers to address this matter to ensure we are in stock, and we are asking for our members’ cooperation and patience.

A final thought from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand:

The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it.