It is so sad to watch a nation slow walk down such a well worn and tragic path.

Bad government policies, and over spending creating inflation and high prices for goods, with a response of price controls to control the prices, which results in even fewer goods available, then government rationing because the goods aren't available, further reducing ability to produce anything of value...

And it doesn't have to be this way! At each stage, you could just not do the next step in the spiral. Thing would be bad for a bit, but you wouldn't bring the nation to poverty.