MOTM

Just to let all the complainers know, Paul is not bringing this up 
to increase his profit.  These price increases on metals are real.
I own a business that manufactures metal products (my day gig.)
We have seen the same increases in steel and aluminum.  In fact, I'm 
surprised Paul's supplier's steel prices are that low.  We buy 
hundreds of tons and that is virtually the same price we are paying.

If you want to assign blame for this, blame the Chinese.
They are buying steel at a tremendous rate and the mills can't keep 
up.  The Chinese are also buying scrap steel and having it shipped 
to China, causing a shortage of scrap in the states, which also 
contributes to the price rise.

The Chinese are also to blame for the high gas prices for the same 
reason.

Let's not blame Paul.