Have you ever watched something happen and it almost feels like it’s in slow motion? You know what’s going to happen but there’s really nothing you can do to change the course. Sound familiar? It’s exactly how we feel when it comes to the market and listening to the most recent earnings reports from major retailers was yet another example of the bear market at work.  In the most recent Fed meeting, the message was clear – continue with the status quo. As we watch the controlled demolition of the stock market transpire, we can’t help but remind ourselves that this was the plan. The Fed has stated they want to tame inflation by slowing down the economy through interest rate increases. The tone has changed from the last time the Fed met, however, with a new emphasis on raising interest rates until prices stabilize to 2% of inflation or until something breaks.