The Fed is not even officially apart of the Federal Government. It's a collection or a cartel of private banks given incredible powers by our hapless legislative branch back in 1913 to print fiat money, which is backed by nothing other than debt already in circulation further decreasing the value of the dollar. It also sets the interest rates.  Would you like to know more? Click Here and then scroll down. Consider Zeitgiest & Money, Banking, and The Federal Reserve films.