We can all agree that looting is a bad thing...it is stealing merchandise from a store owner, and it is usually rather violent.
Looting is occuring in Haiti...but in that situation, it made me think:
How much is merchandise worth to a store owner, when there are no customers? Essentially, their is no market for anything in a country where no one has any money or homes, therefore, in order to liquidate his merchandise, a store owner would have to give it away for free.
Granted, there are some items, such as jewelry and gems that retain their value, but most everything else that I can think of such as electronics, toys, appliances...are really worthless in Haiti right now and into the indefinite future.
Of course, it still doesn't make it right.
Looting is occuring in Haiti...but in that situation, it made me think:
How much is merchandise worth to a store owner, when there are no customers? Essentially, their is no market for anything in a country where no one has any money or homes, therefore, in order to liquidate his merchandise, a store owner would have to give it away for free.
Granted, there are some items, such as jewelry and gems that retain their value, but most everything else that I can think of such as electronics, toys, appliances...are really worthless in Haiti right now and into the indefinite future.
Of course, it still doesn't make it right.
