End the Fed? Or End the Market Economy?


by Shamus Cooke
Global Research
December 9, 2009


When Republican Congressman Ron Paul recently introduced legislation to audit the Federal Reserve, diverse sections of the political spectrum applauded. And rightfully so. The Fed’s role in the still-developing bank bailouts is one of utter secrecy; the total cost of which — as estimated by the bailout’s Special Inspector General, Neil Barofsky — could cost taxpayers $23.7 trillion. The fact that legislation needed to be introduced to raise the question of the whereabouts of these funds points to a larger breakdown in U.S. democracy.

Ron Paul’s legislative maneuver is consistent with his larger political philosophy, which he attributes to the Austrian school of economics. Central to this economic outlook is a focus on monetary policy, and the blaming of central banks for much of our economic troubles. Paul’s popularity has increased exponentially, rising in consequence to the bank bailouts and the Federal Reserve’s role in the Great Recession. The title of his recent book, End the Fed, was also used as the slogan of protests held around the country — many organized by Ron Paul supporters — outside of central banks.

As elite-controlled as the Federal Reserve system is, it’s “endingâ€