Fed with Something to Chew On- Tales From the Cutting Board

Meet The new Fed- this board under Ben Bernanke's watchful eye is a bit different than Alan Greenspan's Fed.

Alan Greenspan was notoriously elusive. He tended to not broadcast his intentions. He was, and still is, enigmatic in his pronouncements.

Ben Bernanke appears to be the opposite. 

He appear willing to let the market know his intentions before he actually makes official announcement.

His "trial balloon" style allows him to test the market reaction to his planned moves.

It's too early to know if This method is effective, but I'm thinking it's a nice change of pace.

There is a new report out today that suggests he will be lowering rates again.

Anyone hazard a guess? According to some sources we could see another half point excised. 

Here's what's on the Fed's plate:

• Continuing weakness in housing.
• Continued stringency in lending guidelines.
• Ever weakening dollar.
• Mortgage Rates failing to decline even as the Fed rate declines.
• Stock Market woes.
• Inflation/Recession juggling act.

Oh and there's more but I already sense that a few of you fell asleep.

So, what's a chairman to do? 

Evidently, it's time to get out the scissors again.

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Photo: P Photo/J. Scott Applewhite- 2/27/08 - Ben Bernanke testifies before House Financial Services Committee