<P> Federal tax policy was highly contentious during the war, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt battling a conservative Congress . However, both sides agreed on the need for high taxes (along with heavy borrowing) to pay for the war: top marginal tax rates ranged from 81% - 94% for the duration of the war, and the income level subject to the highest rate was lowered from $5,000,000 to $200,000 . Roosevelt tried unsuccessfully, by executive order 9250, to impose a 100% surtax on after - tax incomes over $25,000 (equal to roughly $353,558 today). However, Roosevelt did manage to impose this cap on executive pay in corporations with government contracts . Congress also enlarged the tax base by lowering the minimum income to pay taxes, and by reducing personal exemptions and deductions . By 1944 nearly every employed person was paying federal income taxes (compared to 10% in 1940). </P> <P> Many controls were put on the economy . The most important were price controls, imposed on most products and monitored by the Office of Price Administration . Wages were also controlled . Corporations dealt with numerous agencies, especially the War Production Board (WPB), and the War and Navy departments, which had the purchasing power and priorities that largely reshaped and expanded industrial production . </P> <P> In 1942 a rationing system was begun to guarantee minimum amounts of necessities to everyone (especially poor people) and prevent inflation . Tires were the first item to be rationed in January 1942 because supplies of natural rubber were interrupted . Gasoline rationing proved an even better way to allocate scarce rubber . In June 1942 the Combined Food Board was set up to coordinate the worldwide supply of food to the Allies, with special attention to flows from the U.S. and Canada to Britain . By 1943 one needed government issued ration coupons to purchase coffee, sugar, meat, cheese, butter, lard, margarine, canned foods, dried fruits, jam, gasoline, bicycles, fuel oil, clothing, silk or nylon stockings, shoes, and many other items . Some items, like automobiles and home appliances, were no longer made . The rationing system did not apply to used goods like clothes or cars, but they became more expensive since they were not subject to price controls . </P> <P> To get a classification and a book of rationing stamps, one had to appear before a local rationing board . Each person in a household received a ration book, including babies and children . When purchasing gasoline, a driver had to present a gas card along with a ration book and cash . Ration stamps were valid only for a set period to forestall hoarding . All forms of automobile racing were banned, including the Indianapolis 500 which was cancelled from 1942 to 1945 . Sightseeing driving was banned . </P>

What are some of the challenges the united states faced in fighting a war in the pacific