I woke up to glorious rays of sunlight coming from a region of space of which no government has laid claim. I enjoyed a brief moment, basking in the light of freedom before going about my day. I could hear the beautiful chirps of birds who were ruled by no one.
For breakfast I fried some eggs and had toast with butter. While cooking I was reminded of the peaceful exchange that led to my ownership of this food. A vendor had food and I had currency. They wanted my money more than they wanted their food and I wanted their food more than my money. How convenient! It couldn't have worked out more perfectly.
Next I enjoyed the authority I have over my own body and property by getting into my car and driving to a place of business. As it so happens, this organization had offered me a trade - I would give them my time and labour in exchange for more currency. This seemed like a good deal to me since I knew I could use that money to trade for necessities of life.
I laboured for eight and a half hours, contented by the fact that they would follow through on the terms of our agreement. They had dealt with me honestly before so I had confidence that they would continue to do so. If it weren't for this trust, I would trade my ability, body and time with another party. And others would follow until that place of business could no longer sustain itself. Fortunately, that kind of action hasn't been necessary.
When I returned home, I kissed the woman whom I had pledged in front of witnesses to be committed to for the rest of my life. We enjoyed a meal together made up of more food that we had acquired through similar means to that which I ate in the morning.
The house where I live is owned by another man since I cannot yet afford to purchase or build my own. With a heart full of gratitude that there are people out there willing to exchange the use of their property with me for a rate that I can afford, I paid my landlord the amount that we had agreed upon.
At the end of the day I remembered some sad truths...
Though I had tried to live out my day as a free man, almost none of my actions were left untouched by the hands of a parasitical faction who call themselves "the government."
I was unable to trade for food without them taking a cut of the exchange.
I couldn't drive my vehicle without taking multiple tests to prove my ability to the government, and then paying them a fee every few years to retain this right of transport.
I was not allowed to work for another man without the government forcing me to give them a percentage of every paycheck.
My rent has had to be increased due to the burden of constant state robbery placed upon my landlord simply because he owns land.
Even my marriage had to be legitimized by expensive state documents.
I live my life as a peaceful man, interacting peacefully with others who wish to do the same. But I am met with theft and a constant threat of violence from a group of men who claim they have the moral right to do unto me that which I am not allowed to do to anyone else.
~Seth
The artwork was created by me exclusively for this Steemit post.