That said, I’m the first to pay every dollar that is owed — and I suggest others do so as well. I’m a happy taxpayer, because, like the child who gives up his lunch money to avoid being punched in the face by a bully — I see that the opportunity cost and think that I’d rather be free from persecution. So what if you have to skip lunch, at least you’re free to enjoy recess. (and yes much of the money is used in positive ways for things I support in theory) However, like the child and his lunch money, I would never for a minute yield the moral high ground to the bully — even though submitting to his force. It’s better to keep him happy, and preoccupied with other people, than to bother picking a fight you can’t win — so I hire an accountant who crosses every T and dots every I to make sure that I’m in full compliance — but never kid myself about whether it’s moral or not.

You’ll find this is the minarchist/libertarian moral position on the issue — that at a basic level we find taxation to be immoral, but on a practical level we are the first to comply with every letter of the law, while discussing the possibilities of using technology/the market to replace many of the functions traditionally considered only the realm of government. In fact, when openly discussing these things you’ll see your best shield, and only option, is to be 100% compliant — only then can you voice the uncomfortable truths that so few will address.