Several readers discussed future Fed rate decisions. "Topic: Bernanke and the June Fed meeting. I think the results of the next meeting are huge in terms of the psychological effect. What signal does it send to Wall St. and all the whiners who don’t want their bubble taken away. What if he doesn’t raise?"

One had this answer, "To answer your question, if the Fed does not raise rates - INFLATION >7%."

Another did a 'what if.' "If BB blinks on the June rate hike, look for long-term Treasury bond yields to rapidly increase to above 6%, with mortgage rates considerably higher to price in a growing risk premium. The housing bubble might 'decelerate' more quickly if the Fed stands pat."

To which another replied, "Another reason why the housing bubble is toast no matter what BB does."

The Lowell Sun. "Hey, that Ben Bernanke looks like he's determined to show us he's no wallflower, eh? OK, Big Ben, for the past month you have talked the talk, so let's see if you and your friends at the Federal Reserve will walk the walk."

"As you and your colleagues have so astutely pointed out, inflation is at hand. And it's not just at the gas pump. So no more of these wimpy quarter-point interest-rate hikes. How Greenspanish. Show us you're really serious and give us 50, as in basis points."

"That's right, half a percentage point. When it comes to that meeting in Washington next week, show 'em your fangs. Tame that inflationary beast."

"Through the first five months of this year, inflation is running at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.2 percent, according to the government. So-called core inflation, which strips out such 'non-necessities' as gas and food (Gee, who needs that?) is still over 3 percent."

"I know I'm not getting a 5 percent raise this year. Are you? If not, that means you're losing spending power."

"Quite frankly, interest rates aren't that high, historically speaking. A prime rate of 8 percent would have been welcome in, say, 1982. Even as recently as 2001 it was 9.5 percent."

"Get crackin', Ben & Friends. We know you're going to raise rates at month's end. We're just not confident you're going to flex your muscles enough. Give us the medicine this economy needs. Fifty basis points, baby."

"It isn't the Fed's responsibility to ensure the stock market goes up. It isn't the Fed's responsibility to keep the housing bubble, er, market, afloat.'

"The Fed's first and foremost responsibility is to prevent prices from rising too rapidly in our economy. If Ben & Friends don't get up to speed, that's going to continue to happen."