RealBitcoin,
I only need you to answer whether US. private businesses set their own prices- and compete among another and, if the answer is no, provide examples to that effect, such as laws. I don't want rants about taxes being slavery or an unduly burden, etc - since they are not germane to the question.
Meanwhile, let's enjoy - ahem - what you have written so far:
You are ignoring the indirect influence of the government which is as huge as our planet, and want me to focus on the direct influence of the government on prices, which is still present but tiny?
Alright I give you an example:
Slot machines: In some gambling regulations the slot machine owners are forced to set the payout ratio to at least 0.7:1 ,cannot set any lower, so the slot machine owner casino can set it's machine only between the (0.7,1) boundaries. That is direct price control.
Minimal wage: It is the price of labour. The government sets a minimum price of the labour, and cannot be below it.
Rent control: Price of rent. It usually has a maximum price/ square meter of the residence.
And so on.
There is your price control, but these direct controls are still too tiny, compared to the indirect controls which are huge.