A True Inspiration

My philosophy is not unique. It’s common sense to know that a world without organized and accepted coercion would be a better one. However, few people take an active role in promoting liberty. It’s one thing to sit in front of computer screen and write about theory, it’s another thing entirely to march up to government buerocrat and tell the work the do is unjust. Which, today, brings us to one of the most fervent activists for liberty, Free Talk Live host Ian Freeman. Some people, unlike Ian, would be happy with just creating, hosting, and expanding the aforementioned nationally syndicated radio show. He however has taken it upon himself to practice what he preaches. Just last November, Ian was arrested for refusing to move a couch. Ian was almost arrested again for publicizing the marijuana protest of Andrew Carrol. More recently, Ian has more supportive of activism from the sidelines, communicating the message of Sam Dodson, frequently live from jail, as well as promoting the launch, the events of the Motor Home Diaries, and the happenings of the 2009 Porcupine Festival.

But this last July first, accompanied by several Free Staters, fellow activist Sam Dodson, and a lot of cameras, Ian marched into city hall armed with only with courage, two pizzas, and almost three thousand dollars in one dollar bills. What ensued, although seeming minor to some, is a fabulously peaceful protest against coercive force. I’ll let the video speak for itself

Paying with one dollar bills for such a large tax is a wonderful way to grind the system to a halt without using violence. As it is legal tender for all debts, they must accept it. It’s not mentioned in the video, however while using pennies would have been effective in one sense, the sheer amount of weight would have required machinery and wouldn’t allow for such a smooth of a process. Also, Ian mentioned on Free Talk Live that he stamped FreeKeene.com and FreeTalkLive.com on a majority of the bills, thus getting a little advertisement at least for his money.

This concept is very similar to the idea of everyone on a particular court day pleading not guilting to every traffic violantion being arraigned that day. It is legally possible, however it would very easily crash the system. If everyone in the United states payed all of their taxes in one dollar bills, the same thing might happen, although I don’t think that’s what Ian was trying to say in this video.

Another thing worth noticing is the clear bypassing of the first amendment and New Hampshire law by the government bureaucrats and their violent enforcer. Making it very clear that they only play their own rules when it favors them.

This is why I plan on moving to New Hampshire when I graduate. Even though this very simple event probably won’t have a lasting effect on those involved, it is exemplary of the effectiveness of the Free State Project. No where else is there such a great, established support system for activists constantly taking the fight to the front line and standing up for true freedom.

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