By Brendan McLaughlin

In the aftermath of a major hurricane would you rather:

-Pay $5 dollars for a bottle of water?  Or-

-Drink the gelatinous liquid from a 3 year old can of vienna sausages because there's no water to be had?

The second scenario is actually more likely in Florida because of our state's anti-gouging law.  Here it is as described on a state website:

• In the wake of natural disaster, essentials -- such as food, ice generators, lanterns, lumber, etc. -- may be in short supply. Charging exorbitant or excessive prices for these and other necessities following a disaster is not only unethical, it's illegal.
• Under Sections 501.160 and 501.205 Florida Statutes, it is illegal to charge unconscionable prices for goods or services following a declared state of emergency.
• Individuals or businesses found guilty of price-gouging could face fines up to $1,000 per violation.

It's a tough violation to define because  some price increases can be explained by the added cost of doing business in a disaster zone, but generally the Attorney General is charged with deciding exactly how much is too much.  The prohibition on so-called gouging also begs the question- If the law of supply and demand brings goods and service to market at a fair price, why wouldn't it continue to do so after a natural disaster?  Many economists think it does.  Charging $10 bucks for a  bag of ice may offend our sense of justice, but that price will almost certainly guarantee that  there will be ice to buy. In fact, exorbitant pricing can increase supply to the point where the shortage that's causing the high prices is alleviated in short order. (Wikipedia has several sources to support this claim)

We don't have to like the profiteers jamming us up for a few extra bucks in a time of crisis, but don't be overly impressed by Governor Crist with his tough guy promises to crack down on the greedy profiteers.  If he believes in the free market, he should realize that their  willingness to lug generators, batteries, ice and plywood into a storm zone results in more relief than misery. And they should be paid well for that.