Why do people "loot" when upset with the government?

Question

How is looting someone's store, or burning down your neighbors house, all of those types of things, protesting the government? Or protesting anything, for that matter? How do people justify looting?

Answer 1

People who loot are thieves, nothing less.
They use excuses like 'upset with the government', 'racial riots' which I hope and pray are gone forever! Also, natural disasters: "Katrina" case in point.
What else can you call someone who loots, except a thief?
Mack

Answer 2

The kind of people that loot are poorly educated. They lack ethics and are like a pack of wolfs. Its a gang mentality. They live for the moment and there is no justification. We all have access to learning material. There are public libraries in all communities. Education builds character which looters lack.

Answer 3

Most of the people who choose to loot are people for whom "the rules" have never applied. The rule is that childhood is nice, home is safe and parents are good. I believe that for many of these kinds of people, they see no reason to follow any rules because the very most basic rule in life was broken. Their childhood was not nice, home was not safe and parents weren't good, and when the child may have asked for help, they didn't get it. Another broken rule.

Answer 4

I believe that people who loot are people who would steal under any circumstances, if they have the opportunity. Doing it under chaotic conditions (such as riots, protests, etc.) is just an excuse to steal.