When a life necessity is in short supply, a government can either ration it or let its price rise. Rationing gives everyone a basic allotment, however it encourages people to take their full ration whether they need it or not. If incomes vary widely, letting the price rise freezes out the poor while the wealthy deliberately waste the commodity in a display of conspicuous consumption. I suspect a patriotic appeal for conservation with public shaming of wastrels might work better than either rationing or price rises.
~ Roedy (born: 1948-02-04 age: 64)