The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States that has set certain banking interest rates in attempts to stimulate or contract economic growth since 1913. Since the recent economic collapse, however, the Fed has involved itself heavily in the banking system handing out trillions of our dollars.

But we have no idea where our money has gone because the Fed has no legal obligation to tell us. In fact, it has refused multiple inquiries from the House and Senate to disclose who is receiving these trillions of dollars.

Furthermore, the regional Reserve Banks in the Federal Reserve system have boards of directors chosen primarily by private banking institutions.

There are striking conflicts of interest in the management of our money. The CEO of JP Morgan also serves on the board of the New York Federal Reserve, and he was a board member of the New York Fed even as he negotiated on behalf of JP Morgan with the New York Fed for a $29 billion bridge loan allowing his company to take over Bear Stearns. Furthermore, half the seats intended to represent the public at the New York Fed are vacant.

Luckily, there is legislation in the Senate to change current law and allow an audit of the Fed's books: S 604 Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009. Contact Sens. Dick Durbin and Roland Burris urging them to support and co-sponsor S 604 if you want to find out where our money has gone.

Jason Roeschley

Rural Flanagan