In the press, we keep hearing about "price gouging"...i.e., those evil capitalists trying to take advantage of people in need.
However, a little gouging helps prevent shortages. After Hurricane Ike, important and easily available commodities such as ice were in very short supply days after the Hurricane hit. By preventing price increases, there isn't a large incentive for an ice supplier in Dallas to make the trip down.
I would have gladly paid a much higher price for ice, but the Stage-one thinkers in government prefer the "no gouging" soundbite.
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