Quote from ShoeshineBoy:
Always, always remember that if there a range of possible solutions to a major problem, the federal government will choose the worst possible solution that will plague our country for generations to come.
If there is one thing you don't want in this life it's the Uncle Sam running the money supply. The Fed isn't perfect to say the least - I personally believe they cause some of the economic ills we experience - but they're largely working for the banks and the banks have a vested interest in a reasonably healthy economy.
Also, keep in mind that the rest of the world runs their economies the same way, i.e. with a reserve system, and many are highly successful. The fact we have failed of late does not mean that reserve systems cannot work but rather that we have some underlying lessons that we have ignored...