The gasoline shortages persist on Long Island. Here is a great quote from Mises that I posted on my Facebook wall:
"Before the government interfered, the goods concerned were, in the eyes of the government, too dear. As a result of the maximum price their supply dwindles or disappears altogether. The government interfered because it considered these commodities especially vital, necessary, indispensable. But its action curtailed the supply available. It is therefore, from the point of view of the government, absurd and nonsensical. A government can no more determine prices than a goose can lay hen's eggs." --Ludwig von Mises
It's from this excellent article by Mises, "The Source of Prices": http://mises.org/daily/2255
He goes on to write about his skill as a Kirznerian entrepreneur:
By careful planning, I was able to fill up my two vehicles without waiting on lines. Hess stations are open 24 hours and I figured that they must be getting deliveries overnight. Hess seems to have their act together more so than other sellers. I set my alarm clock to wake me at 2 a.m., at which time I called the nearest Hess and asked if they had any gas. The attendant said yes. I asked if there was a line. He said no. So I drove there twice and filled up each vehicle, no waiting necessary! And just in the nick of time -- the gas light was on one of them.
As usually, "socialism is bravely fighting with problems unknown in other systems".
ReplyDeleteAs a Polish kid living under the communism, I remember getting up early (5/6 am) just to be able to buy sugar without queues so described situation is nothing new to any citizen of any other (current/former)communistic country.
A wholesaler in Wisconsin calls a gas station purchasing agent in New Jersey:
ReplyDeleteWI: I've got a few rigs I was thinking about sending your way. Interested?
NJ: Yes, we're running out of gas daily, but the Government has dictated that I can only pay you the price that a perfectly efficient distribution channel supports - not the price that a channel demolished by a hurricane allows.
WI: Thanks for the FYI. Call me if things change.
A wholesaler in Wisconsin calls a gas station purchasing agent in New Jersey:
ReplyDeleteWI: I've got a few rigs I was thinking about sending your way. Interested?
NJ: Yes, we're running out of gas daily, but the Government has dictated that I can only pay you the price that a perfectly efficient distribution channel supports - not one demolished by a hurricane.
WI: Thanks for the FYI. Call me if things change.