Bond buying will pump money into the economy and reduce long-term interest rates, which are already at historic lows.
Theoretically, this will give consumers a greater incentive to spend their money now. Or it would, if they had money to spend.
The Fed announcement comes on the heels of a Census Bureau report that annual household income fell in 2011 for the fourth straight year to $50,054, which is the level it was at in 1995.
In addition, of course, many Americans are currently living off of their unemployment benefits. As we reported, many Americans have given up looking for jobs. The deficit between the number of jobs created and the number of jobs shed exceeded 200,000 in August alone.
While the reported unemployment rate dropped from 8.3% to 8.1% in August, if those who are underemployed and those who have stopped looking were included, the real unemployment rate would be about 19%, according to The Wall Street Journal.
And, of course, bond buying will increase inflation. Many Americans, who are barely subsisting, will need to find a way to spend more on food and gas. So, tell me again, how is this helping the middle class?