I was in agreement with this article about a month ago, that the Fed couldn’t end QE without shattering the economy due to all the fake numbers and fake markets.
There is one reason for them to do so that comes to mind, and there are probably others I’ve just not been introduced to yet.
Someone might want intentionally to crash the economy. The numbers are certainly in position to do exactly that. But, what would be the benefit of it?
1. Someone wants to push the reset button and rebuild the economy based on reality. Bite the bullet and begin the slow trek back to real prosperity.
2. Create a crisis.
Ultimately, the question goes all the way back to first principles: Why did the US institute a debt money system in the first place? That is, why did the US adopt a system that required the monetary base to grow (that is, take on add'l debt) each & every day - for perpetuity - in order to pay accrued interest on the previous day's existing balance?
By any definition, this kind of endless feedback loop describes a perpetual growth machine aka "ponzi scheme". Since it cannot physically exist other than through artificial means of fraud & deceit, its very survival depends wholly upon misinformation and manipulation.
That's why I gently chided you regarding your thought that the article was perhaps naive; to me, it's just another endless stream of propaganda. Apparently blam thinks these kinds of articles provide some kind of meaningful basis for discussion, yet even over @ ZH where they are sourced, the patience for a willingness to continually dance around the main point appears to be losing favor.
As to who would benefit, why, the entire history of mankind is one of attempted domination of another. Some prefer brute strength approaches, while others are far more devious. In the end, it's all the same: an attack on sovereignty. This brings it back to the political realm, which is why FR could still yet play an important part.