Since 1971, when [[President Richard Nixon]] ended the [[dollar]]'s [[gold]] backing, the [[US]] has been free to print trillions of dollars out of thin air. Before 1971, $1 was represented 1/35 oz of gold — a fixed [[value]]. After that, the dollar became [[fiat]], backed only by the Federal Reserve (Fed) printing power. | Since 1971, when [[President Richard Nixon]] ended the [[dollar]]'s [[gold]] backing, the [[US]] has been free to print trillions of dollars out of thin air. Before 1971, $1 was represented 1/35 oz of gold — a fixed [[value]]. After that, the dollar became [[fiat]], backed only by the Federal Reserve (Fed) printing power. |