Larken, this is a timely message for me - it really served to temper a bit of my zeal. Currently, my position on the matter of compliance with the State is that my personal integrity, my moral compass and my principles are the very things make me an individual. I concluded that to compromise any of these ideals would be akin to becoming a mercenary, putting my beliefs and convictions aside in order to gain favor with some authority or even for personal benefit (to the detriment of another, as government can't give anything to you without first taking it, by force, from someone else). It got to the point where I actually refused to jump through the necessary hoops in order to retrieve some of what the government stole from me by way of taxes. I felt that my participation in their corrupt system, or even my acknowledgement of them would only serve as validation. I knew it was not the "smart" thing to do, but I felt that it was the "prinicpled" thing to do - if nothing else, my hardline stance was able to start conversations about liberty that would not have otherwise taken place.

But here you are, serving as the voice of reason, as ever, reminding me that sometimes it is better to go along to get along; and in my case, that if I had just swallowed my pride long enough to jump through the requisite hoops, I could have secured resources in order to further the cause of freedom. I look back on the situation without the benefit of clarity, and I'm unsure how I would react the next time. I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that my principles are indeed my most valuable possession, but does acquiescence necessarily imply erosion? I'm not so sure. Perhaps you or another would care to weigh in.

PS. Preaching to the choir here, but if anyone is looking for a copy of Larken's book, "The Most Dangerous Superstition", I've purchased a case of them and will happily send a copy to anyone interested, free of charge (though I won't complain if you help me out with shipping fees). Just let me know.