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Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by skybrian on Monday July 08, 2019 @09:05PM (#20388152)
Could you explain why you think democracy is important and has much to do with how U.S. currency is managed? It seems to me that voters have very little influence on decisions made by the Federal Reserve, and that's intentional. We wouldn't want a central bank to be much influenced by the latest election.

The Federal Reserve is a consortium of banks and tends to make decisions that are good for banks, so if you're worried about corporatism, it's already here.

Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by ma2rten on Monday July 08, 2019 @09:24PM (#20388240)
The chair and board of the federal reserve are appointed by the president.
Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by skybrian on Monday July 08, 2019 @09:45PM (#20388338)
This is true, but being appointed is important. Much like the Supreme Court, they are expected to be independent, not "accountable".
Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by awt on Monday July 08, 2019 @09:34PM (#20388282)
Also it has a government enforced monopoly.
Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by kennywinker on Monday July 08, 2019 @10:06PM (#20388423)
That’s a ridiculous statement if you consider the fed a part of the government. I.e. the fire department and police both have “government enforced monopolies”. The government itself is a “government enforced monopoly”
Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by provolone on Monday July 08, 2019 @11:12PM (#20388713)
Hardly.

The alternative would be a repeal of legal tender laws. This would allow consumers & businesses to transact in the currency of their choice.

Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by kennywinker on Tuesday July 09, 2019 @03:37AM (#20389691)
“The alternative would be a repeal of laws establishing police, allowing consumers & businesses to choose between law enforcement providers.”

Look I’m not saying you can’t criticize the existence of the fed, but calling them a “government enforced monopoly” is inane. They are a _part_ of the government.

Re:Libra, 2 Weeks In by provolone on Tuesday July 09, 2019 @04:12AM (#20389833)
If using a given telephone company were mandated by the government, it would be by definition a government enforced monopoly. Similarly, legal tender laws force businesses to accept USD to settle all debts. From this point, Gresham's law also plays a role.

There is a long history of private policing in the United States.

The Federal Reserve Bank is not owned by the government. It is considered a public private partnership.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_police_in_the_United_S... https://mises.org/wire/private-policing-isnt-fantasy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gresham%27s_law