tyrannical laws (you know, the victimless ones) were being broken constantly. people were putting whatever they wanted into their bodies. people were selling whatever they wished without begging the government for permission (licenses). even when there were problems (there were a couple incidents), interference from the authorities was unnecessary. a combination of arbitration and/or ostracism were enough motivation to elicit restitution.
the one time a cop did show up, he had a swarm of followers; many of them with video recording devices in hand. if he'd tried anything, i'm sure their station's phones would have been flooded, and there would have been a huge crowd of protestors outside barraging anyone in a police uniform with questions. and if you're one of those types that love cops, i'd encourage you to run over to copblock for a list of police abuses. the vast majority of which result in no punishment for the offending privileged class (cops, lawyers, judges, politicians, anyone that is given leeway where a 'common citizen' would not).
i was also able to do a good deal of bartering (with the silver i brought). the only vendors that wouldn't take my silver dimes were the metal dealers (gold, silver, copper) because they re-stock via federal reserve notes, and one of the food vendors that needed to run into town to buy supplies. neither of these instances would have been the case if the federal reserve in tandem with the government hadn't indoctrinated and/or coerced the general populace into accepting paper and cupronickel as something of value for decades.
i also got to meet a lot of activists. they ranged from bloggers, radio talk show hosts, entrepreneurs, professors, some liberty minded politicians, and even one with his own tv show. not a single one of them was stuck-up. all that was necessary to meet them was to walk up, shake their hand, and introduce yourself. many of them even came to me and introduced themselves. this was completely unexpected.
what had the biggest impact on me, though, was the veterans for ron paul meeting i attended. being around all those veterans each with their own story of how they came to believe the current united states government is evil was the last thing i needed to fully open my eyes. all these years of 'serving' i'd thought i was doing something noble; i'd thought i was protecting 'my country' from terrorists. now i realize the biggest terrorist of all is the united states government. i have helped spread tyranny across the globe. i am part of the reason so many people hate americans. i look back on it, and i am ashamed.
i've accepted the government's blood money for 14 years, and i've finally broken though the propaganda. i'm stuck in the system for 2 more years. when my current enlistment is up, i'll be leaving the service of uncle sam. i'm having issues with my conscience right now, and i can't imagine perpetuating my current situation longer than i've enslaved (contracted) myself to. i don't know what i'll do, but at least i will have peace knowing my money will not be acquired by the threat of violence.
government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
-george washington
so let mercy come
and wash away
what i've done
i face myself
to cross out what i've become
erase myself
and let go of what i've done
-lincin park what i've done
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