We first pulled up by one of the countless gasoline pumps that assured us we would not be waiting in a long line to fill up our van. Then we went into the store itself, which one might describe as something akin to a traveler's Costco.

When I go to one of the typical stops like Love's or Pilot, those places have some pumps out front and a great choice of food and other goods inside their buildings. But what I saw at Buc-ee's was well beyond the best of the rest. First, there was more food than I could imagine being in one place, merchandise, sweets, and hundreds of bags of beef and turkey jerky of all flavors.

I've never used a shopping cart at Pilot (which I do patronize whenever possible), but a cart was a necessity at Buc-ee's, as I had no intention of buying just a few things. There were egg and brisket breakfast tacos, fruit, cups of yogurt and key lime pie, and, of course, coffee, lots of coffee and fountain drinks, not to mention a couple of Buc-ee's pullovers and other merchandise.

Although my purchases at most road stops are well under $20 (not counting gas), I was not at an ordinary stop. No, this was Buc-ee's and I needed to fulfill my duty to spend 10 times that much money, and I did it with no regrets.

Being an Austrian economist, I could not help thinking about the organization and work that goes into a place like this. I also told my wife that socialists would hate this place, and when I later searched the internet for examples of socialistic hating on Buc-ee's, the socialists didn't disappoint.

Indeed, socialists and assorted leftists hate Buc-ee's. I mean, they really hate this place. One person posted the following on Reddit:

When we arrive, this enigma of a beaver was at an exit with a lot of traffic. Turns out, the beaver was generating it's own traffic. A highway stop which created traffic. What sweet hell.

Upon arrival I witnessed not some gas pumps, but ALL of the gas pumps. More than I've ever seen in one place. Almost further than the eye could see with the road in the way. What? Why?

We stepped out of the car and my wife and daughter are gleeful, and I am looking on in horror as if I'm watching an Alien mothership descend upon the earth. Inside, there are so many people it looks like an amusement park on a hot summer day. Shoulder to shoulder with people thrilled that they can see someone dressed up as the beaver. I spent no less than $40 at this highway "gas station," AND I DRIVE AN EV!

Now my main gripe with all of it is that inside this one building there were probably 10-20 different small businesses for a small American town which were replaced or never even had a chance to start because of this one company. It's the worst example of runamok capitalism and consumerism I've seen directly with my own eyes.

That day I swore that these stores were monstrosities that in a just world would be demolished and never again allowed to thrive. I know my low level visceral rage at a company is absurd, but I see absolutely no redeeming values whatsoever in this company.