Combine all of the power brokers cornering markets, with rampant Democrat sanctioned looting of retail outlets and this is the inevitable outcome.
American open public retail is dependent on people behaving in a civilized way. There will always be theft, of course, but when you have hoards of thugs invading a store and essentially emptying it, on a regular basis because of no consequences and with the avid support of government officials, then the retail environment is not viable. Nobody can do open retail in a country which praises and applauds looters, and punishes retail establishment owners for trying to stop them.
When thieves yell, "We have a right to steal!" And this sentiment is supported and condoned by politicians and law enforcement, then the only choice left to the business is to close up shop. Retail is not a charity, or "reparations" as many American Leftists claim. It is a way for the owners to make a living and to pay the bills 'they' owe. This is the foundation of the national economy.
A restaurant giving the customer a meal and asking for payment only after the customer has eaten, is conveying a trust to that individual. The restaurant 'trusts' that the person or persons will behave in a civil way and pay what is due. Today, that trust has all been crushed. The dine and dash people outnumber paying customers. And if you try to stop them, THEY will call the police on YOU.
The thieves will face no consequences for their actions. But as a shop/restaurant owner, you are libel to be sued for attempting to prevent the theft of your goods. We are living through now, the intentional disintegration of American society.
