[brokenkebab]

You statement stands on the assumption that rationing in itself has no price to pay, which is definitely not true. Rationing is complex, and expensive activity, even if you take the easiest form (e.g. 1 liter to every citizen). Also, rationing which takes into account differences of needs is even more hard, and more often than not is close to impossible. Without it rationing is inherently unfair, and may lead to more strain in society. Finally, it does breed black market, and corruption. All in all, there's no sense in it for a mild, and days-term shortage of something which is not drinking water.