You may well be right, but if there is misdirection and misunderstanding of the question then I suggest we look no farther than the 3 questions of the host to see why it happened.

The only other scientific theory that attracts such a visceral negative reaction is Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection, and this does so because it offends very deeply held beliefs.

The only conclusion I can reach is therefore that people feel bad about the price mechanism (and many other Economic theories) because they offend either deeply held beliefs or some hard-wired notions of what is an appropriate distribution of wealth.

#4. People have a basic understanding of economics and are disgusted with themselves at not having thought ahead and prepared for the crisis and so are subject to the higher prices to get up to speed. A fact that they know is their own damn fault.

#5. People have zero understanding of economics and have no concept of preparation, thus are pissed off because in a crisis things aren't just given to them by the government fairy wand waver. they would be just as pissed about not getting it at no cost even if the prices held steady at precrisis levels.

Personally, and because of many years of objective observation, I think my 4 and 5 are closer to the truth than 1, 2, or 3 above.

Everyone wants a sense of meaning in life, the feeling that his life is not just a routine and a treadmill, but that he is "making a difference," serving some (usually altruistic) moral purpose. Case in point: no looting taxes could take from Bill Gates the amount of wealth he is voluntarily giving away in order to "do good." The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has nearly $40 billion.

It is altruism that explains why people think that prices are rising because of selfishness. There are too many selfish, greedy, grasping people out there waving their dollars (especially them furriners!). And that anti-selfish, anti-greed, anti-life premise is the subtext behind the chant, "We are addicted to oil." The broader, implicit message is: "Stop being so greedy; learn a little self-denial; it's not all about you, you know."

Yet another example why even the best economic arguments have no teeth without a proper moral and philosophical foundation. Who is John Galt?

Everyone wants a sense of meaning in life, the feeling that his life is not just a routine and a treadmill, but that he is "making a difference," serving some (usually altruistic) moral purpose. Case in point: no looting taxes could take from Bill Gates the amount of wealth he is voluntarily giving away in order to "do good." The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has nearly $40 billion.

It is altruism that explains why people think that prices are rising because of selfishness. There are too many selfish, greedy, grasping people out there waving their dollars (especially them furriners!). And that anti-selfish, anti-greed, anti-life premise is the subtext behind the chant, "We are addicted to oil." The broader, implicit message is: "Stop being so greedy; learn a little self-denial; it's not all about you, you know."

Yet another example why even the best economic arguments have no teeth without a proper moral and philosophical foundation. Who is John Galt?