re: #329 OhCrapIHaveACrushOnSarahPalin

Punishment-happy con attitude. It’s THEIR RIGHT to price gouge me!

Well, yes. It is. Price gouging is how societies of people that don’t know each other communicate about scarcity.

Oil prices are up. Airlines must pay more for fuel. Rather than raise the price of a ticket forthrightly, they use the same tactic movie theaters use, and charge for amenities. That way, just as with a movie theater, those who can barely afford the ticket buy anyhow, while those who would have paid more can be nicked for the popcorn on top of the movie.

Outright theft is very different from pricing. I cannot very well refuse the deal the mugger offers: your money, or your life.