The Fed is dragging the US into a recession to cool surging prices. Most Americans expect inflation to die down on its own.
Andrew Harnik/AP Photo The Fed is pushing the US into a recession to cool inflation. It might not be necessary. Inflation expectations have been falling since the spring, signaling there's little chance of a 1980s-like price surge. Raising rates out of fear that expectations will rebound is "irresponsible," a former Fed economist said. Depending on who you ask, the US's battle against inflation is either going swimmingly or dragging the economy into a recession. Policymakers at the Federal Reserve have made it clear in recent weeks that they will not stop raising interest rates until inflation returns to its 2% target. The central bank hiked rates again on Wednesday to the highest levels since 2008, extending its aggressive bid to cool price growth. The effort might pull the US into a period of subpar growth and higher unemployment , but letting inflation rage on would bring "far greater pain," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in a follow-up press c...