Chapter 10, Question 6

The part that struck me as most interesting in the chapter was the fact that the Federal Reserve stayed open on 9/11 and throughout the chaos, while everything (basically) else closed (Wheelan 218). But, because that isn't too shocking, reading what the Federal Reserve's "handiwork" is, was more shocking. It isn't shocking that they have to make sure the economy is always growing at a sustainable pace. But what is a little shocking is that they have make sure this is happening without "igniting inflation" (Wheelan 226). They also have to decide what the impact will be of the change in interest rates—short term and long term. As Hoffner said "Economists think about the big picture", here is the proof. This is all a lot of work, (which obviously a job entails) but the fact that their 'little' decisions effect so much of our lives is shocking. To be honest, I would absolutely hate being part of the Federal Reserve, but I greatly appreciate what they do for us.