[War] US: Bread...and Milk.

[John Penta]

"Bread...and Milk"
27 April 2014
President John Williams
USA
==================
<Hawaii>

   Somehow, he'd pulled it off. Escorted only by a plainclothes Secret
Service agent, John was managing to...go grocery shopping. Incognito.

   "Okay, I know prices are higher than on the Mainland...But c'mon,
$6.49 for milk?" Williams asked.

   A nearby shopper chuckled.

   "Not from around here, huh?" She asked. "In Hawaii, everything is
expensive. Especially the basics."

   "I'm figuring that out, yeah. I'm from Virginia - took the
President's example, helped by my doctor telling me to actually use my
vacation time. We're renting a place over by the beach."

   "Yeah, President took a hell of a time to take a vacation, what
with everything gettin so expensive. Where do you work?"

   "White House, actually - I'm one of the guys who work in the
situation room. Bob Winters. And you are, ma'am?"

    "Loretta Jones," said the portly woman. "I work at the Hilton, at
the front desk."

     Then, she paused. Looked at the guy. Looked closer.

     "Hey, are you...?"

     Williams smiled. They were alone back here, so he took off the
glasses and spoke.

     "I hoped nobody would notice. But since you did...Yeah, I am. I
miss doing the little things like grocery shopping and driving and the
like. Nick over here is my Secret Service agent for the day."

     They shook hands, as the woman looked surprised. "Didn't think
you would, Mr. President. Thought you'd just hire someone to do it for
you."

     Williams nodded. "Please, just John. I...It's been nearly 18
months, I still feel like I never really have *earned* that title,
Mrs. Jones," he said, noticing the wedding ring on her hand. "I just
got it cuz a better guy than me died, and another guy had a car
accident." Pause. "Normally, I might - in DC, the White House Mess
does it, cuz they're actually responsible for feeding the 1800 people
or so who work there...Most of em, and I know I've set a bad example
here, work really long days. But on vacation, I want to forget the
fact I'm President when I can - so I do my own shopping.

    She nodded. "Sir...John, I'm from here. Lived here my whole life.
Things are gettin expensive, even for here. You may not feel it, but I
*do*."

    Williams nodded. "I know - you're right. Even with Luke, I -don't-
feel it so directly. I got lucky, made enough money that I have a bit
of a cushion from the prices you get bit by. I'll be honest...before
today, I figured 'Oh, the market will take care of it'. Price controls
are messy, and I'm as afraid as anybody of a black market for food or
something. Or, God help us, food lines.

    "Now, I'm...not so certain."

    More people, maybe 4 or 5, had gathered. Nick got nervous.

    "Uh, folks? Please, save the Secret Service guy's nerves. Not too
close, sorry. I don't like that, but it's better than him thinking
anybody is reaching for something bad," Williams noted.

    Everybody stepped back a bit, then Williams continued.

    "Unfortunately, for the last 40 years the easiest option has been
off the table. If Congress allocates a few billion to a huge,
stupidity-filled subsidy that makes it smarter not to plant crops,
like grains for livestock feeding - or for people - then there is,
effectively, nothing I can do: I'm required to spend the money."

    "Joe Larez, I'm a lawyer with the Hawaii Senate. Why not a
line-item veto?" asked a man.

    "Supreme Court says that's unconstitutional. Believe me, if I
could, I'd unilaterally cut back the farm subsidies to encourage
spring plantings to be higher."

    As they walked in what could only be described as 'synchronized
shopping', Williams grinned.

    "Now, if the State of Hawaii would like to encourage a line-item
veto amendment, I...am not going to say no?

    "Next option: Emergency price controls, only until we see how the
fall harvests come out. No longer. Raise your hand if you'd like
that."

    Many shoppers did. The manager didn't.

    "I see we have a possible difference between seller and buyer.
See, price he can charge changes. Price he pays doesn't. And grocery,
Ag department told me today, is a low-margin business," Williams
noted.

   This went on for a bit, til even POTUS couldn't keep talking. Then,
a smile on his face, Williams paid for his groceries  At which point
he frowned. "Damn, diapers are expensive."

   In a few hours, some proposals were bound for Capitol Hill.

    First, a repeal of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, in
exchange for a promise from POTUS that he'd limit the times he used
it.

    Second, if that wasn't good, a proposed Constitutional Amendment
to give the President the Line Item Veto.

    Third, a request to Congress to rescission enough of the farm
subsidy to encourage farmers to plant more during Spring Planting.

    Now, if prices went up, it'd be the Congress's fault. Price
Controls would remain under the President's coat, for use only if
things got worse.
---
Actions:
1. Do thy shopping?:)
2. Ask Congress to either repeal the Impoundment Control Act, pass a
line-item veto amendment, or rescission part of the farm subsidy.
3. PR Campaign: The ball is now in Congress's court. They are welcome
to respond.