Ron Paul likes price gouging, and the way he explains it, ..

He's wrong though...all that type of gouging will do will cause civil unrest. Do you really think people that cant afford it will just say okay and go home in such a disaster? No, it will cause rioting.

Rationing ensures the populace doesnt start breaking things (like their neighbor's skulls) in such a scenario. It has nothing to do with fairness or democracy.


Also, on the FEMA getting fed thing...should FEMA employees not eat when they're there helping the recovery? I'm lost as to why that's even an issue...its no different than having to feed Nat Guard guys that would be there.

I heard this before on Christian Radio and I was appalled by what I heard them saying; that higher prices would some how limit hoarding.

That is absolutely insane!

I could not believe they were even buying into such nonsense.

It is pretty simple in my mind, but I read the bible and find things pretty cut and dry: I could just not believe that Ron Paul, nor the Christian Radio Hosts, not revert to the bible on this issue, specifically Proverbs 11, Verse 1: New King James Version: Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,But a just weight is His delight.

Proverbs 11, Verse 1: The Message (A contemporary bible): God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.

There is NO WAY any businessman or businesswoman could ever predict what the right price for a given item would be to deter hoarding in the face of a catastrophe. It just cannot be done, and the only real reason for doing so is greed. There are a lot of verses regarding that topic, but I think we do not need direct references from the bible to make that point!

NoSmoke wrote:I heard this before on Christian Radio and I was appalled by what I heard them saying; that higher prices would some how limit hoarding.

That is absolutely insane!

I could not believe they were even buying into such nonsense.

It is pretty simple in my mind, but I read the bible and find things pretty cut and dry: I could just not believe that Ron Paul, nor the Christian Radio Hosts, not revert to the bible on this issue, specifically Proverbs 11, Verse 1: New King James Version: Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,But a just weight is His delight.

Proverbs 11, Verse 1: The Message (A contemporary bible): God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.

There is NO WAY any businessman or businesswoman could ever predict what the right price for a given item would be to deter hoarding in the face of a catastrophe. It just cannot be done, and the only real reason for doing so is greed. There are a lot of verses regarding that topic, but I think we do not need direct references from the bible to make that point!

I believe the point was that high (or more appropriately, fair given the circumstances) prices would assure a far more plentiful supply of fuel (etc...) and thus prevent long lines and frustrations that can lead to rage and potentially riots. All you got from low (or limited) prices was a lack of any available fuel supply. I'm sure that is much more desirable to the leftists.

In the Soviet Union the prices of everything were always forcibly held incredibly low, but the shelves in all of the stores were nearly always empty. Similar market forces and government intervention at work.

You do realize that it was for a post-natural disaster situation, not everyday living? The USSR comparison doesnt really hold up. There were shortages because the refineries in NY/NJ were shut down and they couldnt get fuel trucks there, not because of the price controls.

Davian wrote:You do realize that it was for a post-natural disaster situation, not everyday living? The USSR comparison doesnt really hold up. There were shortages because the refineries in NY/NJ were shut down and they couldnt get fuel trucks there, not because of the price controls.

I'm sure that the refineries in Texas and everywhere else would be filling trucks and sending them off to NY/NJ by the droves for a price within the vicinity of $20 per gallon. Since that was the going street price, it was the defacto price, and the only price that the suppliers had to compete with and against. In NY/NJ a cup of coffee can cost $8. Bottled water nearly as much. $20 for a gallon of gas is a no brainer by comparison.

lsayre wrote:

Davian wrote:You do realize that it was for a post-natural disaster situation, not everyday living? The USSR comparison doesnt really hold up. There were shortages because the refineries in NY/NJ were shut down and they couldnt get fuel trucks there, not because of the price controls.

I'm sure that the refineries in Texas and everywhere else would be filling trucks and sending them off to NY/NJ by the droves for a price within the vicinity of $20 per gallon. Since that was the going street price, it was the defacto price, and the only price that the suppliers had to compete with and against. In NY/NJ a cup of coffee can cost $8. Bottled water nearly as much. $20 for a gallon of gas is a no brainer by comparison.

And those trucks would have run into the same issues as the ones from Baltimore, Boston and Philly did...too many downed trees/wires, etc to get there.

Different rules apply during a natural disaster...why is this even a debate? Its not like anyone in their right mind wants price controls in a normal day to day situation.

Davian wrote:Rationing ensures the populace doesnt start breaking things (like their neighbor's skulls) in such a scenario..

Tell that to the people in Greece and Spain.

Davian wrote:And those trucks would have run into the same issues as the ones from Baltimore, Boston and Philly did...too many downed trees/wires, etc to get there.

For $20 per gallon you can Helicopter it in. give a man (or a corporation of men) a fair wage and he (they) can accomplish a lot. It's the exact same situation as for the price of the gasoline. Also, stop turning away help that is not union affiliated. And stop beating to a pulp the workers who are working 16 hour days when you find them sitting at a restaurant and having a bit to eat, because you believe they should be getting your power back on for you while you sit on your ... If the trucks cant get through, get out and help them if you expect them to help you.

jpete wrote:

Davian wrote:Rationing ensures the populace doesnt start breaking things (like their neighbor's skulls) in such a scenario..

Tell that to the people in Greece and Spain.

They're not rioting due to fuel rationing...

lsayre wrote:

Davian wrote:And those trucks would have run into the same issues as the ones from Baltimore, Boston and Philly did...too many downed trees/wires, etc to get there.

For $20 per gallon you can Helicopter it in. give a man (or a corporation of men) a fair wage and he (they) can accomplish a lot. It's the exact same situation as for the price of the gasoline. Also, stop turning away help that is not union affiliated. And stop beating to a pulp the workers who are working 16 hour days when you find them sitting at a restaurant and having a bit to eat, because you believe they should be getting your power back on for you while you sit on your ... If the trucks cant get through, get out and help them if you expect them to help you.

For $20 a gallon, most people wont be able to afford it so there wont be any demand anyway. Thus, your overall profit wont increase enough to create the type of push you're talking about anyway.

Davian wrote:

jpete wrote:

Davian wrote:Rationing ensures the populace doesnt start breaking things (like their neighbor's skulls) in such a scenario..

Tell that to the people in Greece and Spain.

They're not rioting due to fuel rationing...

They are rioting due to rationing of other things they need to live. What's the difference really?