Dear Dew,
With all due deep respect for most of your opinions IMH disagree with your contention "rationing" is a system very similar to free markets.
I was born in 1941 and can remember rationing that resulted from WWII. I was in the RVN in 72-73 when cigarettes and booze were rationed. Rationing is normally instituted during periods when essentials, eg. fuel, food, or materials are in short supply. Rationing is a specific remedy to the short comings of a free market system in these conditions. Rationing allows a more equitable distribution of critical supplies. Rationing is controlled by government and includes specific prohibitions against the twin "ugly sisters" of shortages, Hording and Gouging. Unlike a free market the rationed items do not go up in price. Do people subvert rationing? Of course,,,when this is done an illeagle market,Black Market is created.
Comparing rationing to Sports tickets or Mercedes auto prices is flawed. These are nonessential "luxury" items which could never be subject to rationing.
