this creates overdemand, lines of people trying to buy nonexistent computers. price system has gotten out of whack, as happened with certain commodities when price controls were instituted in the early 1970s. [franklin roosevelt] december 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. the united states of america was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the empire of japan. pearl harbor was a surprise, but america had expected war for some time. as german armies swept across europe, america began to build up its military. many adult americans remembered the hardships caused by inflation during the unregulated economy of world war i. the cost of living then spiraled up more than 100%. every worker and resource was precious. military and civilian needs competed with no referee but the price system, so prices shot higher. as another and potentially greater war approached, president roosevelt prepared to initiate price controls. but the job of planning and controlling the economy was anything but easy. the roosevelt administration chose john ke