A formal agreement between businesses in the same industry, usually on an international scale, to gain market control, raise the market price, and otherwise act like a monopoly. The most famous international cartel is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which seeks to exert control over the world oil market. Other cartels have existed, or still exist, in the global markets for uranium, diamonds, long distance telephone services, and airlines.

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Upon leaving Scarcity Stan's Bakery Shoppe and Confectionery Palace our pedestrian's excursion drops into Mega-Mart Discount Warehouse Super Center. A quick tour of this mecca of mass production -- lasting no more than three days -- is likely to reveal within the 20 gadzillion square feet of floor space a number of sales racks, shelves, and tables filled with merchandise marked down for clearance. A prominently displayed sign on one sales rack boldly declares that the regular $24.99 price has been drastically reduced, for this week only, to $3.98. What a bargain! What a sale! We have the chance -- "for a limited time only" -- to get stuff valued at $24.99 for only $3.98! With a bargain like this, how can we lose?

It's easy to lose, if you don't understand the concept of value. Most of us have several "bargains" stored away in the attic, closet, or garage that never have seen, and probably never will see, anything resembling use. What seemed like a great "bargain" at the store, does nothing but occupy space at home. (By the way, does anyone have use for a distributor cap for a 1949 Ford?)
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Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time wandering around the downtown area seeking to buy either an electric coffee pot with automatic shutoff or a brown leather attache case. Be on the lookout for the happiest person in the room.
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This isn't me! What am I?

-- Josh Billings, humorist

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