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Federal Reserve Debates
Federal Reserve Debates
History and Debate of Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve is the central banking system for the United States of America. Also known as the Fed, this system was created by Congress in 1913 under the Federal Reserve Act. Congress set out three key goals for the Federal Reserve: moderate interest rates, stable prices and maximum employment. Read on to learn about some of the pros and cons of the Fed.
Pros to the Federal Reserve Debate
There are many pros to the Federal Reserve. First, the Federal Reserve established a national currency. Prior to the Fed, there were over 30,000 currencies in the USA. The Federal Reserve made a singular currency valid throughout the country. Next, the Fed protects small banks. Without the Fed, larger banks would have a great deal of power over small banks, potentially causing them to fail. The Fed helps to control inflation and deflation, keeping the country running smoothly in terms of finances.
The Federal Reserve helps to represent America and its financial interests. Without the Fed, the interests are represented by banks, clearly not the healthiest financial option as banks are concerned about private rather than public interests. Lastly, banks are required to undergo an impartial, outside audit done by the Federal Reserve. If the Fed did not exist, all audits would take place internally, causing corruption among the banks.
Cons to the Federal Reserve Debate
There are also many cons of the Federal Reserve. The Fed has undergone a great deal of debate since it was created over 100 years ago. The Federal Reserve is primarily protested by those from political parties supporting a small federal government, although protests are found across all political lines. The primary reason the Federal Reserve is disliked is due to the fact that it is considered unconstitutional and invasive. The institution is often regarded as anti-capitalism, because finances are controlled by a big, government organization rather than a group of privately run businesses. This expands the size of the government, a con for many individuals.
Another con is that the Federal Reserve is often cozier with private interests than public interests. Lobby groups and private interest groups can exert a great deal of influence over the Fed. This takes away from the rights and well-being of the public, allowing individuals to benefit over the benefit of the whole. Lastly, the Federal Reserve, while it is a government institution, is still run by an individual with a business-like mind. This opens the Fed up to a great deal of corruption and leads to further choices of private interest over public interest.
For Federal Reserve
Pro
Comment: They control our monetary policy and if they didnt, Congress would, and THAT would be disastrous.
Comment: A responsible Federal Reserve System is needed; not one that arbitrarily bails out banks for no reason. Fed money should only be used in very severe recessions/ depressions.
Comment: whatever
Comment: \
Comment: It cushions against severe financial shocks like liquidity crises, and it has been shown to reduce the severity of economic turn downs, but it should be more tightly regulated.
Comment: It's too privatized and selective, but it has the right idea.
Comment: With the change in its policies with Alan Greenspan following the discoveries of Milton Friedman, the Fed has been a source of great stability in the US economy.
Comment: I think that we must continue to have the Fed to enact monetary policy; however, I understand the frustration by those who want to end the Fed. Moving back to the gold standard won't work in today's economy. This is why we left the gold standard in the first place. We need regulation on the Fed to stop the Fed from enacting fiscal policy or when the Fed enacts anything outside the scope of monetary policy. Fiscal policy belongs with Congress and/or the Treasury.
Comment: Our money does need to be watched, so that we may prevent inflation, or an economic collapse.
Comment: Our economic stability has improved dramatically since the creation of this central bank.
Against Federal Reserve
Con
Comment: Creates never ending debt. End the Fed.
Comment: A body of people so far removed from any system of checks and balances can hardly be held accountable for their actions. Not to mention the silliness of fiat currency in general.
Comment: We instead need a responsible monetary policy with a computer to replace the federal reserve.
Comment: It needs to be more public and their needs to be a change in leadership.
Comment: It's not what hitler would want
Comment: As an idea it's good. In practice it is a for profit organization that is detrimental to America's economy. It needs more government oversight.
Comment: End the Fed
Comment: Inflation. Corruption. Rinse and repeat.
Comment: I am against the Federal Reserve in it's current form. I believe it should be controlled by congress, and totally transparent to the public.
Comment: If you have a federal reserve... You're gonna have a real bad time.

