Price Gouging

What is up with the prices - besides the prices?? I went to Safeway in Petaluma yesterday and they were charging $17.99 for 12 rolls of toilet paper. They did have it somewhat marked down but what's the deal? Are we that desperate already that they think someone will pay whatever they ask? And my understanding was that in a state of emergency, which all 50 states have declared, "they" are only allowed to raise prices by 10%. I'm sorry but is Safeway afraid they won't sell enough toilet paper? They are sold out every single day, and they only allow one package per person.

One in our household went to buy water (yes water) at a small local store today. The price went up 50 cents since yesterday. I thought we were all in this together - that's what everyone keeps saying. I am more willing to give an extra 50 cents to my small local store for water than I am to give 8 extra dollars to Safeway for toilet paper but I think the decent thing is to not have to decide where I get gouged.

I never really understood the excuse of supply and demand. I mean, it seems to me, and this may be why I struggled in Econ. class, the more people are buying what you are selling then you can charge less - because you don't need to charge more - and still afford your mansion and Benz. So the decent thing is to keep the price the same or lower, which makes Everyman much happier and maybe even slightly less stressed.