On Wednesday, it will most likely raise its benchmark rate for the first time in nine years, ending the zero interest-rate regime that was designed to support the economy after the Great Recession. To do this, it would raise the target range of the Federal Funds Rate by 25 basis points to 0.25% to 0.50% in an effort to raise the effective funds rate and, by extension, borrowing costs. – Business Insider Dominant Social Theme: The Fed, buffeted by forces beyond its control, will do its best to salvage the economy on behalf of you, the people. Free-Market Analysis: Perhaps we ought to feel sorry for Fed officials, especially Ms. Yellen. We've read a lot about Janet Yellen's reluctant move toward a rate hike and she is certainly being cast as the Hamlet of Fed leaders, someone who is indecisive because she knows how much can go wrong. In other words, she cares too much. Unlike Hamlet, her agonizing does not revolve around a personal dilemma. No, her indecision is rooted in her concern for others. Now it seems, Yellen is determined to hike – or so we are told – even though her decision is truly fraught. We can see from the above Business Insider excerpt that the Fed is possibly on the cusp of a "historic" decision.