RiverDog wrote:
I would mind. For the past 40 years, the fed has been essential in keeping inflation under control by manipulating interest rates. Back in the 70's, everyone was borrowing on credit. The motto was "better buy today because tomorrow the price goes up." Along with the COLA clauses they had in union contracts, we were caught in an inflation/wage/price death spiral. I'd get a 10% pay raise only to see it eaten up by a 13% rate of inflation. IMO it's essential that the fed chairman remain independent of the government and its constantly changing political winds. Trump doesn't like interest rates going up because it could damage his re-election bid if it slows the economy.
The fed isn't what keeps inflation in check and hasn't for almost 30 years. The internet is what keeps inflation in check. Used to be that if someone in Iowa wanted to liquidate their stock it didn't affect the stores in Idaho. now it does. You go online, search for what you want and get the best buy and if other merchants want to move stock, they have to compete with everyone else. I think if you really think about it, you'll agree that I'm right about the inflation.
The only thing the fed does is tighten or loosen money with how much they print and how much they allow banks to loan by setting solvency rates. They don't control inflation at all.