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independence, and it wouldn't put Congress in charge of monetary policy. An audit is simply an examination of records or financial accounts to check their accuracy. We must not equate "independence" with secrecy. No matter how intelligent or well-intentioned the Fed chairman and his staff may be, it isn't appropriate to give a handful of people the power to lend an unlimited supply of money to anyone it wants without sufficient oversight. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The American people have a right to know what is being done with their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. This money does not belong to the Fed; it belongs to the American people. ad_icon BERNARD SANDERS U.S. Senator (I-Vt.) Washington The writer is the sponsor of the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act. Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Regarding the July 24 editorial "Focus on the Fed": What a sad day for a newspaper with a storied reputation for exposing waste, fraud and abuse in government, to oppose the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act, legislation that would simply increase transparency at the Federal Reserve. The Fed has expanded its balance sheet by more than $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars in response to the financial crisis. Who received this money? Is it being used primarily to help ordinary Americans or just the wealthy and well-connected? What conflicts of interest exist between members of the Fed and Wall Street bankers? This is all information that the American people deserve to know. The Fed isn't answering these questions. That is why an independent audit of the Fed is gaining such bipartisan support. This legislation wouldn't undermine the Fed's

As questions about gun rights swirl around the nomination of a new Supreme Court Justice, and debate continues over attempts in Congress to make it easier to carry concealed weapons state-to-state, an increasing number of Long Islanders are applying for pistol permits.

As the campaign to audit the Fed is picking up momentum in the halls of Congress, reflective of the majority support by the people, several mainstream media outlets have taken their familiar positions to fulfil the role of compliant corporate lackeys they have become accustomed to. But it is to no avail. The campaign for liberty has clearly grown wings that spread far and wide, outflanking both the left and the right as it ascends to ever greater heights. Whatever happens next, the enemies of liberty will be hard put to it, trying to sprinkle sleeping dust into the eyes of the giant who stretches his arms to meet the dawn.