Readers suggested recent Federal Reserve actions as a topic. "Will the Fed eventually regret being kinder and gentler than under Volcker?"

One replied, "Maybe things will be OK. Real estate will stabilize and household debts will be manageable with falling rates, oil and energy costs will decrease, savings will increase as will employment and wages, and peace will break out. Inflation will roll along at 8-10%, but nobody will notice for another 5 or 10 years. Got patience?"

And another said, "IMHO the fed should have raised rates by 0.500% in August and the Fed Fund rate should be 6.000% by year end. The Fed is currently reporting inflation of 4.3%, if inflation were calculated today in the same method as in the Papa Bush’s tenure it is currently running in excess of 7.2%."

"If inflation is calculated by disallowing hedonic inflation it is currently running ~10%. These inflation rates will continue to accelerate as companies and individuals are intuitively aware 'borrow today payback with cheaper dollars tomorrow.'"

The North County Times, "After more than two years of nonstop interest rate hikes, the Federal Reserve last week finally decided to take a break. The moderation, claims the Fed, is 'partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices.'"

"The Fed is almost giddy about the 'cooling of the housing market.' Have home prices escalated at a rapid rate in recent years? Of course they have. Have homeowners benefited from this appreciation? Of course they have. Is it time to punish them for making the sacrifices necessary to own the home where they raise their families? According to the Fed, yes it is."

"Let's punish all of those homeowners who used adjustable-rate loans. Maybe if the Fed goes back to raising rates, it can put a few more families out of their houses."

"The only thing that disappoints the Fed is the 'lagged effects of increases in interest rates.' It would have preferred housing activity to slow a couple of years ago rather than just recently."

"Granted, higher rates are good news for people seeking income from their investments. CD rates have moved higher on the back of the Fed rate hikes."

"It is time for the Federal Reserve to get out of the way and let this economy do its thing. Take the rest of the year off and then quit. We don't need a bunch of Beltway insiders deciding the financial future of American families and businesses. I'm tired of watching the housing and stock markets wince every time the Fed issues a statement."

"And, while you're at it, how about coming out from behind the curtain and answering some questions about what the heck you are doing? After all, Americans pay your salaries. Why not drop the double talk and try some straight talk?"