Can you give some more background here about Ford's involvement in coercive price controls? I remember Nixon's disastrous price controls, and I remember as a child, feeling a visceral disgust I did not then understand, when the news announced that a child had discovered that a maker of paint for models had raised its price during the price freeze, and made a big fuss. Now I understand that the gooey praise that the newsies were bestowing on that child were cousin to the praise given Soviets who informed on their neighbors.
So, I'm with you 100% on Nixon's disgustingly un-American "wage and price freeze." But your mention of Ford gives me pause. I always liked the guy, not least for his 60+ vetoes of Democrat bills. I remember Whip Inflation Now, but I thought at the time that it was all voluntary, a typical lame but well meaning Ford effort, endearing but not coercive.
So, am I wrong? Was WIN actually coercive, not voluntary? Was Ford really involved in mandatory price controls? I admit I'm hoping you're wrong about this, but if you're right, you're right. Got a link or other information?
Sorry, can't help ya there as I'm working from my memories as an teenager. My own recollection was of Ford taking Nixon's place and he kept Nixon's policies.
I could be wrong.