Judy Shelton: It's a mistake for the Fed to deliberately restrict capital access through high rates

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's policy makers are divided on the necessity for further rate cuts this year, with discussions highlighting the implications of the current inflation target and its alignment with the Fed's dual mandate [1][10]. Group 1: Inflation and Monetary Policy - The Fed's target of 2% inflation is viewed as a deviation from the original goal of price stability, which some argue should be zero [2][3]. - There is skepticism regarding the Fed's ability to accurately measure inflation, with different indices leading to confusion about the real impact on average American families [8][9]. - The current inflation rate is estimated to be around 3%, but there is doubt about the reliability of various measures used by the Fed [7][10]. Group 2: Economic Growth and Interest Rates - The argument is made that the Fed's approach to managing inflation through high interest rates restricts access to capital, which is detrimental to small and medium-sized businesses that drive job creation [14][21]. - There is a belief that increasing output, rather than restricting growth, is a more effective way to combat inflation [22]. - The Fed's current methods are criticized as being overly reliant on Keynesian models, which may not account for the benefits of lower taxes and deregulation [13][14]. Group 3: Trust in Government and Financial Instruments - A proposal is made for the Treasury to issue gold-backed long-term bonds to restore trust in government and provide a reliable store of value for investors [17][19]. - The discussion emphasizes the need for honest government and sound money, criticizing perpetual deficit spending as immoral and corrupt [16][19]. - The potential for gold-linked Treasury bonds to create demand and signal a move towards sound financial practices is highlighted [19][20].