A true free market does not exist anywhere in this world. That would be a market devoid of taxes, tariffs, quality control, health regulations, etc. And the US is far from that.
A moderately regulated market in a country such as ours is (supposed to be) set up to encourage fair trade in a manner that creates value for all players due to supply and demand, absent coercion from the state. I think we can all agree at face value, we mostly agree with that statement, although we may argue the term "moderately regulated". (I'd like to see LESS regulation, obviously).
But the State of NY addresses "price gouging" as such:
New York State’s Price Gouging Law (General Business Law § 396-r) prohibits
merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that
are “vital to the health, safety or welfare of consumers” for an "unconscionably
excessive price" during an abnormal disruption of the market place or state of
emergency.
While we are a free country we are also an ethically and morally superior populace, more so than almost any time in world history....
And I would think that even the usual band of roving band of rejects here would have to agree with the wording above.
(But, I'm, not counting on it.)
Last edited by duck911; 04/02/20.
