Hilarious. Straight out of Kremlin Central Planning: <"In the U.S., drivers of vehicles with license plates having an odd number as the last digit were allowed to purchase gasoline for their cars only on odd-numbered days of the month, while drivers of vehicles with even-numbered license plates were allowed to purchase fuel only on even-numbered days. The rule did not apply on the 31st day of those months containing 31 days, or on February 29 in leap years — the latter never came into play, as the restrictions had been abolished by 1976." >
During the 1979 price rises, New Zealand had "carless days". An even more stupid idea as it meant people couldn't drive their cars even if they had fuel. People were allowed to drive every other day or something like that [depending on their registration number].
Since then, there has been an economic principle invented called "supply and demand". Price is used as the allocating mechanism. When supplies are tight, prices rise, so that demand matches supply. When there's a glut, prices fall, so that demand matches supply.
It's a complex concept and even today, most people can't understand it. During the Katrian aftermath, there was talk of "gouging" in gasoline prices and the need for laws to stop prices rising.
I can elaborate if you haven't heard of it, but I dare say you have. The Globalstar marketers hadn't heard of it.
Mqurice |
