Unfortunately there's nothing, really, that can be done that's going to affect energy prices or gasoline prices in the very short run. |
Until the job market improves, this recovery will not feel like a recovery to most Americans, |
We benefit from foreign direct investment. Many Americans are employed by foreign companies with plants in the United States, for example in the automobile industry. So, trade is a two way street. I think, it is important to protect Americans who lose their jobs, or whose jobs come under pressure from international trade. But, I think, we need to be careful not to embrace economic isolationism. |
We must ensure that the funds we commit are spent wisely and with careful oversight. |
We see that coming back in the fourth quarter and going on into next year. |
We're much more data-driven. We need to continually re-evaluate our forecasts and think about the prospects for the economy and make our decisions based on what the information is that's coming into our hands. |
When prices are stable, people can hold money for transactions and other purposes without having to worry that inflation will eat away at the real value of their money balances. |
With such an uncertain outlook, the new statement must be flexible enough to leave officials with several options for future action. |