Gas Lines in Hawaii?
While I was very concerned over the hardships caused the Kelo plaintiffs in New London (and all other residents to be removed from their homes due to eminent domain takings nationwide), I felt some joy that people will now see in plain daylight the effect of government power. No, not corrupt government actions. Just the mundane decisions made by bureaucrats doing what they believe is for the public good. I think the publicity of such events serve a greater good as Americans finally realize there is a likelihood of such harm occuring whenever bureaucrats are ceded our rights by "living Constitution" advocates.
Now we see a new real life experiment in government intrusion into areas they have no place.
Flunking Econ 101, bureaucrats at the Hawaii PUC are capping the gasoline prices that can be charged by wholesalers in their state. Wholesalers can charge up to $2.16. Another 59 cents is added state taxes. Retailers can keep their 12 cent mark-up (actually that remains uncapped). So the gallon of gas will cost at least $2.85.
Anyone want to guess how much gas the wholesalers will be providing the islands? Does anyone recall the gas lines of the 70's?
And BTW, why don't they just cut the gas tax by say 50%?