The US states are massively in debt, and public-sector layoffs are causing unemployment to stay high, even while the private sector recovers. The Federal Reserve can create dollars from nothing, and at the moment inflation is apparently a minor concern compared to deflation. What would happen if the Federal Reserve assumed much or all of the debt of the states? They could pay off the debts ex nihilo at a speed of their choosing, while allowing the states to create or save jobs. They could also simply grant money to those states that have relatively little debt. Does anything like this happen, and should it? [Not an economist]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 on Sep 14, 2010 - 22 answers

[MonetaryPolicyFilter] In relation to the Fed's huge injection of money yesterday, please explain to me how, if at all, the Federal Reserve can destroy money on its balance sheet in a way that offsets the inflation that normally would result. [more inside]
posted by Pastabagel on Mar 19, 2009 - 16 answers

Economics filter: Can someone explain this article to me? How are capital accumulation, national savings, and consumption related? [more inside]
posted by idledebonair on Mar 11, 2008 - 5 answers

Economist filter: How exactly does the fed set interest rates? [more inside]
posted by BigBrownBear on Jun 29, 2007 - 9 answers

Every time the US federal reserve meets to decide on changing interest rates, the news articles say something like "in their statement the fed says ...". So my question is where can I find a listing of the statements for the past 10 or 20 years? I'd like to see how the words change over time. [more inside]
posted by GregX3 on Jan 31, 2007 - 4 answers