The Venezuelan toilet paper conspiracy

Reuters:

Venezuelan businesses spent years conspiring against President Hugo Chavez, but the government now says they have found a new way to play dirty -- hiding toilet paper to sway Sunday's vote on expanding Chavez's powers.

Venezuelans have been buying large amounts of toilet paper on rumours it could be the next hard-to-find thing amid shortages of products like milk and meat that businesses attribute to price controls but the government blames on high demand and hoarding.

"We know there are sectors that are hiding toilet paper," Finance Minister Rodrigo Cabezas told state television on Friday. "A group of business leaders are playing mean, playing dirty ... of course trying to create the sensation of product shortage during the elections."

Some shoppers in supermarkets and pharmacies visited by Reuters on Friday had filled shopping carts with toilet paper, and shelves carrying the product were only half stocked.

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My father died last year, but he would have been ready for this one. He used to have columns of toilet paper stored all the way to the ceiling in fear that he might run out. After we took his keys away from him I think he and mom finally cut into the excess inventory. And, he did not have to worry about a paranoid commie nut taking over and rationing everything. At least those stocking up do not have to worry about it going bad on them like perishable items that are in short supply.