An open letter to Congress and the President: Don't mess with Fed Independence please.

Open Letter to Congress and the Executive Branch

Amidst the debate over systemic regulation, the independence of U.S. monetary policy is at risk. We urge Congress and the Executive Branch to reaffirm their support for and defend the independence of the Federal Reserve System as a foundation of U.S. economic stability. There are three specific risks that must be contained.

First, central bank independence has been shown to be essential for controlling inflation. Sooner or later, the Fed will have to scale back its current unprecedented monetary accommodation. When the Federal Reserve judges it time to begin tightening monetary conditions, it must be allowed to do so without interference. Second, lender of last resort decisions should not be politicized.

Finally, calls to alter the structure or personnel selection of the Federal Reserve System easily could backfire by raising inflation expectations and borrowing costs and dimming prospects for recovery. The democratic legitimacy of the Federal Reserve System is well established by its legal mandate and by the existing appointments process. Frequent communication with the public and testimony before Congress ensure Fed accountability.

If the Federal Reserve is given new responsibilities every effort must be made to avoid compromising its ability to manage monetary policy as it sees fit.

Ricardo Caballero, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kenneth French, Dartmouth College
Robert Hall, Stanford University
Anil Kashyap, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Pete Klenow, Stanford University
Frederic Mishkin, Columbia University
Thomas Sargent, New York University
Michael Woodford, Columbia University

Here is a link to all those who have signed on. You'll find me and Dr. Rothman there.

http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/anil.kashyap/research/petition_signees.pdf