Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Katrina Aftermath

One of the alarming aspects of the disaster is the looters. Although unjustified, many people are going after things they need to survive.

Then It occurred to me, Why not open all stores for free access? Think of how this would work.

In the event of a natural disaster, open all stores to everyone. Here are the advantages:

1) People have immediate access to their daily needs
2) They could distribute the items to others close at hand
3) Eliminates the black market. All things are free, no one can charge or price gouge.
4) Gives Federal and charity relief time to reach the affected areas

But will not businesses go bankrupt? Some will. Some do now. Big businesses already have charity programs. so Items given away free in a disaster could be reimbursed by those programs. Small businesses could be reimbursed by the Federal government.

Of course, there will be people that hoard and try to sell the items. But this is happening now. It would be no different opening all stores to everyone, it certainly would not be worse.

I really can't think of a reason why this would not work.

...dave
"Sorrow comes to all...Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now realize that you will ever feel better and yet you are sure to be happy again." -Abraham Lincoln

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