Dumb question but I will go ahead. What would prevent the Fed from simply dumping the money into the stock market and becoming the major shareholder in each and every publicly traded company?
Games within games within games. We need to knock over the board and force everyone to start from scratch.
Why own what you already control?
Control is the lever of power, not ownership and attendant responsibility/liability.
How do you know they are not doing this now? It’s not like there is ever an audit or anything.
Answer: Why pay for something you already have, and if you want more, you can get it for free?
The government already controls virtually aspect of virtually every company in some form or fashion. Begin with the tax code. Throw in employment, environmental, health, safety, product liability, zoning, licensing, certification, and other assorted regulations. Guess what ... you're there.
If all that's not enough, the government can direct the actions of institutional holders (i.e. pension funds, banks, insurance companies, universities, etc.) that own vast blocks (in many instances even controlling interest) in publicly traded companies.
And if all that's still not enough, the government can simply pass a law and take over, say, health care, insurance, banking, and auto industries.