The Federal Reserve: Power and Accountability with Richard Stern

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with The Heritage Foundation's Richard Stern about the Federal Reserve's significant influence on the economy, the potential for privatizing the money supply, and the impact of recent legislation on banking. They discuss the rise of FinTech as a solution to gaps left by traditional banks, the importance of transparency in the Fed's decision-making process, and the complexities surrounding inflation and interest rates. The conversation also touches on the role of tariffs in economic negotiations and the challenges faced by small businesses in the current economic climate.

Chapters
00:00 Understanding the Federal Reserve's Role
04:17 The Case for Privatizing Money
06:50 Impact of Legislation on Banking
08:42 The Rise of FinTech
11:15 Transparency in the Federal Reserve
15:18 Inflation and Interest Rates
20:22 The Fed's Independence and Debt
24:23 Tariffs and Their Economic Impact
30:00 Future of Interest Rates and Small Business Investment