Chez Chesler

The Massachusetts Attorney General says

Q: What is price gouging? A: The Attorney General has specific regulations in place concerning price gouging in petroleum-related businesses, such as gasoline. It is an unfair or deceptive act or practice, during any market emergency, to sell or offer petroleum products for an unconscionably high price. Q: What is a market emergency? A.: A market emergency means an actual or severe energy supply interruption. The Governor has the exclusive authority to declare an energy emergency in the Commonwealth. Q: What is an unconscionably high price? A: If the price charged represents a gross disparity between the price of the product, and either the price at which the product was sold by the business immediately prior to the market emergency, or the price at which the same product can be bought by other buyers in the same area, AND this price difference is not due to increased costs from suppliers or increased costs due to an abnormal market disruption.

I see where the AG is investigating stations that charged too much for gasoline. Why isn't he issuing criminal complaints against the station owners who kidnapped the drivers, carjacked their cars, and forced them to buy gas at their stations? And while he's at it, why isn't he investigating why we don't have massive lines at gas stations, like in the 1970s, or ration coupons, like during World War II? And why stop at gasoline? Why is milk $2.19 at White Hen, $2.49 at Market Basket, and $3.49 (or more now) at Stop and Shop? Why are the same brand of prophylactics $3.89/dozen at Target, but $11.99 at CVS? Why is a comparable house $150,000 in Lawrence, but $1,500,000 in Martha's Vineyard? Why is a year's work worth $30,000 in a factory, but $3,000,000 in the corner office?