The article argues that the Federal Reserve's recent rate hike decision, while justifiable on inflation grounds, highlights a critical lack of an underlying, transparent policy framework. The core problem is that the Fed's decisions appear discretionary, leading to market uncertainty because the committee's judgment, rather than clear data, dictates policy shifts. The author proposes that the Fed adopt a formal monetary policy rule—an algebraic formula linking the target rate to indicators like inflation and unemployment—to replace subjective guidance. Implementing such a rule would provide market predictability, enhance transparency, and shield the Fed from political attacks by making deviations from the standard easily quantifiable.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is cleaning house and consolidating power
English Summary
President Claudia Sheinbaum is aggressively dismantling networks of collusion between politicians and organized crime to consolidate her executive authority and stabilize U.S.-Mexico relations. This strategy is evidenced by 'Operation Swarm,' which has achieved unusually high conviction rates for corrupt municipal officials, and the strategic replacement of senior federal figures tied to her predecessor. Success could significantly strengthen the rule of law and reduce cartel influence, though the administration faces risks of internal political fracturing and the historical tendency for corruption to re-infiltrate reformed institutions.
中文摘要
總統克勞迪婭·辛鮑姆 (Claudia Sheinbaum) 正積極瓦解政界與有組織犯罪之間的勾結網絡，以鞏固行政權威並穩定美墨關係。此一策略可見於「蜂群行動」(Operation Swarm)，該行動針對貪腐地方官員取得了異常高的定罪率，並戰略性地更換了與前任政府關係密切的聯邦高層官員。若能成功，將顯著加強法治並削弱販毒集團的影響力，儘管政府仍面臨內部政治分裂及貪腐重新滲透改革機構的歷史趨勢等風險。
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