sourceFearing increases in the prices of WATER (name of item in short supply) as a result of a MASSIVE PIPE BREAK (type or name of disaster), officials in MASSACHUSETTS (affected state or municipality) have declared a state of emergency whereby restrictions on "price gouging" are now in effect. According to ATTORNEY GENERAL MARTHA COAKLEY and GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK (politicians or law enforcement officials), the law is designed to protect innocent consumers from "unconscionable" increases in the prices of WATER (or food, gasoline, ice, electric generators, and home-repair services). The unintended, unseen consequences, however, are predictable, unfortunate, and avoidable.
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