PURPOSE OF FEDERAL RESERVE
But that is not its true purpose. The Federal Reserve is a “banker’s bank”. As such it facilitates and orchestrates a financial environment that allows banks to do what they do best – loan money.
On a retail basis, this “power” to create and loan money is best illustrated by the system of fractional-reserve banking. The system of fractional-reserve banking fosters an unending expansion of the money supply via loans. That is what banks do: create money, loan it to others, and collect interest. (see: Origin And Danger Of Fractional-Reserve Banking)
The Fed’s expansion of the supply of money and credit, along with additional creation of money in the form of loans granted via fractional-reserve banking, is inflation. The loss of purchasing power of the US dollar and the higher prices you pay overtime for all goods and services are the effects of inflation that has already been created by governments and central banks.
If Judy Shelton was confirmed as a member of the Federal Reserve Board, maybe she would say more about this publicly in her new role. Or maybe she would become silent.
More than forty years ago, a former Fed chairman, who at the time was an economist and private consultant, received some similar attention because of some not entirely dissimilar viewpoints, particularly about gold and the gold standard. After his appointment as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in 1987, Alan Greenspan said very little about gold.
As a board member, Ms. Shelton will not be in control; but she might be a disruption to ‘business as usual’ at the Fed. Maybe this is what is meant by the reference to Ms. Shelton’s views as “an unnecessary distraction from the tasks at hand”.
Probably the most blatant condemnation of Judy Shelton comes in an article by Steven Rattner, titled “God Help Us If Judy Shelton Joins The Fed”.
For some people, it might make more sense to say “God Help Us If Judy Shelton’s Nomination Is Not Confirmed”. On the other hand, it might not make any difference.
Mr. Rattner said that “The Federal Reserve is an indispensable player in managing our economy”. That cannot even scarcely be considered a true statement when the facts are known and acknowledged.
The truth is that the Federal Reserve has been mismanaging the economy for over one hundred years. The effects of their infinite money creation have destroyed the value of the US dollar which is now worth only $.01 cent compared to $1.00 when the Fed assumed command.
Since the effects of inflation are volatile and unpredictable, the Federal Reserve spends most of its time now trying to manage the ill effects and unintended consequences of its own actions.
GREAT DEPRESSION – FED MADE THINGS WORSE
Regarding Ms. Shelton’s views on gold, Mr. Rattner referred to the gold standard as “a significant culprit in deepening the Great Depression” which is not true.
The length and depths of the Great Depression were the results of government attempts to fight the necessary purging that was taking place. If it had been allowed to run its course without public works programs, wage supports, and a national government who tried to “spend” us into recovery and wellness, the Great Depression would have been over much sooner
Under a gold standard, accompanied by convertibility, gold acts as a restraint on a free-spending government. The reason all nations have abandoned a gold standard is that they do not want to be limited in their desire to create limitless amounts of fiat money. (see Gold, US Dollar And Inflation)
As it appears now, Judy Shelton brings a refreshingly different perspective to central banking; and offers the potential for positive change – from the inside.
If that were not the case, it is doubtful that so many of those with influence within that domain would be so open in their attempts to stop her.
Kelsey Williams is the author of two books: INFLATION, WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT ISN’T, AND WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR IT and ALL HAIL THE FED!