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.
FISA Reauthorization Fearmongering and Disinformation Kicks Into Overdrive
English Summary
The article argues that the current push for clean reauthorization of FISA Section 702 is based on misleading propaganda that systematically minimizes surveillance abuses and ignores critical legal flaws. Key evidence cited includes the political compromise and functional dismantling of oversight bodies, the disbanding of internal compliance offices, and the persistent, warrantless 'backdoor search' of American data. Strategically, the piece warns that Congress should not grant clean reauthorization, as the program's scope is expanding while the lack of judicial warrants for searching US-person data poses a significant threat to civil liberties.
中文摘要
本文論述，目前推動對《《美國情報監察法》第七零二條款》（FISA Section 702）進行「清潔重新授權」的動機，是基於誤導性的宣傳，該宣傳系統性地淡化了監察濫用行為，並忽略了關鍵的法律缺陷。文章引用的主要證據包括：監管機構的政治性妥協與功能性瓦解、內部合規辦公室的解散，以及持續且無需搜查令的美國數據「後門搜尋」。從戰略角度來看，本文警告國會不應批准重新授權，因為該計畫的範圍正在擴大，而缺乏針對美國公民數據的司法搜查令，對公民自由構成了重大威脅。
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