The cautious policy of raising of even short-term interest rates shows that inflation, rather than simply limiting economic growth is again a concern for the Fed. Historically, the Fed has always been most concerned about the economy growing too fast, outpacing real development, than other government agencies, which are apt to look upon growth with purely rose colored glasses. Despite the recent strong economic numbers regarding job growth, "which analysts said were broad-based and reflected more than just hiring connected to reconstruction efforts after the recent hurricanes, the economy is still showing signs of fragility." Thus, the Fed's caution and encouragement of saving rather than spending is of concern.

Moreover, "real federal funds rate, the rate charged on overnight loans between banks, has averaged about three percentage points above the inflation rate. While Fed officials have warned that there are no clear rules for a neutral or normal rate, they have made it...

Higher oil prices, the shaky economy, and the Fed's determination to raise interest rates all show continued signs of a contradictory, rather than a salutary economic future in the coming months for America.
Works Cited

Andrews, Edmund L. (November 8, 2004) "Fed expected to stay the course for now." The New York Times. Business Section. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/08/business/08fed.html?oref=login