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Agree with you tha JP & SS are wrong. On the other hand, the "pursuit of unknows" like r*, y* or u* makes for massive errors! This quote from DeLong is telling:

"I suspect that the Fed is profoundly uncomfortable with interest rates substantially above what it confidently believes the neutral rate to be, especially now that inflation is very close to its 2% target. But it will not dare to shift out of reverse until it sees signs of slower job growth."

The labor mkt is a wrong & misleading focus!

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Yes! And I think the ultimate reason for the misplaced focus on the labor market is that in an implicit one good one input model, the real wage/unemployment rate is the only thing that CAN be out of equilibrium.

To be clear, I think r* is fine as a name for whatever policy rate [vector of instrument settings] is compatible with a stable inflation (at target rate) and full employment, but not a good way to find the monetary policy instrument settings to get to that equilibrium.

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I don't follow the numerical reasoning, but I share your qualitative conclusion. We are near equilibrium. But it will be equilibrium [pace Brad DeLong] at a higher r* than previously.

I'd like to see your comments on S Sumner's "Power Is Wrong ...." over at Econlog. I think both Powell AND Sumner are wrong. :)

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