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Instead of price controls to prevent gouging, why doesn't the government build up reserves and stockpiles? (lemmy.crimedad.work)

submitted 2 months ago by CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work to c/economics@lemmy.ml

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cross-posted from: https://jorts.horse/users/fathermcgruder/statuses/113008342518705813

Instead of price controls to prevent gouging, why doesn't the government build up reserves and stockpiles?

#economics #HarrisWalz #PriceControls #gouging

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[–] satanmat@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Most things today are shipped JIT Just In Time.

Walmart doesn’t have tons of stuff “in back”. Most stores these days don’t have a back. They have only enough to stock what was sold since the last truck.

So as others have said; stock what? Everything? And where would we keep it? Yes like the strategic oil reserves; we could have baby formula; hamburger, diapers, and powdered milk… but it is way easier to slap idiots who price gouge.

I volunteer to hold the strategic baby back rib reserve….

[–] CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 1 points 2 months ago

My feeling is that it's better to solve a problem than to send law enforcement after those who try to take advantage of it. That isn't to say that we shouldn't ever do the latter, but it creates problems like black markets and selective or uneven enforcement.