http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/08/25/senator-warns-of-hyperinflation-rivaling-the-1980s/

http://tinyurl.com/nyka7e

"August 25, 2009
Senator warns of hyperinflation rivaling the 1980s
@ 10:04 am by Michael O'Brien

The economy could spiral into hyperinflation not seen since the early
1980s if the Federal Reserve does not tighten its monetary policy
soon, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) warned Tuesday.

Grassley, speaking about the renomination of Federal Reserve Chairman
Ben Bernanke to a second term as head of the Fed, asserted that
Bernanke's ability to hold down inflation would be the metric by which
the Fed's success would be measured.

"We won't know for a year if he's done a good job so far, because he
shoveled money out of an airplane to save banks and the financial
system," Grassley said in a conference call with Iowa reporters. "But
shoveling money out of an airplane to solve problems can be
inflationary — in this case, hyperinflationary — if he doesn't stop
mopping up some of the money that's out there."

Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, said
that inflation as a result from government spending on bailouts could
result in inflation rivaling rates in 1980, when it hit a peak of 13.5
percent.

"The Fed has the ability to put money out, it's got the ability to
take money back in, and if they don't do that, we will have
hyperinflation worse than we had in 1980 and '81," Grassley said. "And
I hope he demonstrates that ability."

Grassley argued that while it would be a year until lawmakers will
know whether Bernanke has been successful at bringing inflation under
control, it would probably be best to keep the chairman on board for a
second term as head of the Federal Reserve.

"I would suggest that right now, when everybody's nervous about the
economy, that you don't change horses in the middle of the stream, and
consequently, it would probably be detrimental to not have him
reappointed," he said.

Archived under: Administration, Corporate Governance, Economy &
Budget, Lawmaker News, News
Tags: 1980s, August, bailout, Ben Bernanke, Chairman, confirmation,
Federal Reserve, Finance Committee, Grassley, hyperinflation,
inflation, nomination, Obama, recession, republican, senator, TARP
"


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