annenberg media ♪ ♪ istory and the federal government refuses to act.n the cost of food threatens to jump beyond the average american family's reach, should the government put a lid on prices? when the nation goes to war, should the government institute total controls? what are the dangers of a well-intentioned price control program once it becomes entrenched? controls are to a politician like catnip to a cat. the politicians, in the end have very great difficulty resisting. economic efficiency-- what price, controls? with the help of economic analyst richard gill, we'll examine that question on economics usa. i'm david schoumacher. [loudspeaker] we got bargains over here! we have bargains over here! come on, girls. don't be shy. check it out. come on. pick 'em out. they all are cashmere. everyone enjoys the ritual and the give and take in a market like this one. it is a demonstration in its purest form of the free-market pricing system. consumers take the lead in this commercial dance looking for the best deal. the merchants follow their lead, the joki