http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_548.shtmlizvilkums:
Old fashion empires looted their subjects directly. Gold and silver were preferred, but slaves, women, horses, cattle, grain, silverware or whisky would do. The American Empire of IOUs is the first in human history to tax its subjects indirectly through inflation. The Empire buys the world’s wealth with paper tokens -- official promises to pay nothing at all. It’s easier and more efficient than old-fashioned looting.