Starbucks

Slow day. Went for coffee, which turned out to be a mistake.

One poor soul was very, very sorry he took up conversation with the communist grad student political activist.

It's all a conspiracy. The government has conspired to raise oil prices and thereby, yes, thereby, solve the 'dilemma of the commons'.

Mr. Poor Soul looks to me for a little help, and I looked to see if my fingernails were clean.

Seems that those with the power are taking the resources from those without. Much the same way the common grounds become overgrazed by village, even as the individuals lands are carefully managed and undergrazed. The government is overgrazing the oil while many of the oil countries are wallowing in poverty.

Mr. Poor Soul has an insight. But, hey, he says, how can there be poverty at these prices?

Because the dollar is a fiat currency.

So there you have it.

At least I got a cup of coffee for my three fiat dollars.