So charging more for a temporarily scarce resource is what 'ruins societies'? Thoughtless adherence to an academic principal ruins societies. it would be much

So charging more for a temporarily scarce resource is what 'ruins societies'? Thoughtless adherence to an academic principal ruins societies. it would be much better for the government to give the poor person $60 to purchase the more expensive gas Why do you think that doubling the price will level supply and demand? It would take at least an order of magnitude, and the seller would have to conduct an auction in the presence of a representative sample of buyers in order to determine pricing. Also you're arguing for setting up an effective social program in the middle of an emergency. It's far more practical to suspend the free market for a week. Unfettered capitalism in an emergency creates a divided, third world community of normal and desperate. If you want to argue anything, argue that.