In the first month of this Fellowship, there were very few roadblocks to applying the Principle of Human Respect in my own life: I wasn’t in the business of initiating violence against other human beings, and I have not knowingly stolen, committed fraud, or destroyed anyone else’s property. These guardrails are central to Libertarianism, Capitalism, and Taoism which have been personal guideposts over the last fifteen years.

The Principle of Human Respect has, however, been particularly helpful in clarifying the idea of Agency Delegation. That is when someone else initiates violence, steals, commits fraud, or destroys property and I benefit from it.

As long as I am not perpetrating the act myself, am I in the clear?

The “One Lesson” essay written by Jim Babka and published on the Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity website says in no uncertain terms that this line of thought is “Baloney!”

In fact, Babka says that “matters are made worse when we hire an agent who violates the principle on our behalf.”

This leaves me with a challenge I could use help solving.

To be clear, I have not willingly hired anyone to violate the Principle on my behalf, but I have paid thousands of dollars this year alone to the same end.

Let’s start with reporting the good:

I have used the Principle to identify organizations, people, and causes that violate Human Respect – and I’ve removed my support. I’m reallocating portions of my retirement investments to firms and funds with better ethics, I’m buying different products for my family, and I’m finding that Thoreau was onto something as he advocated for simplicity. This clearly isn’t a one time effort, but the work of a lifetime.

I’ve been able to peacefully remove my support and not a single company, individual, or cause based organization has initiated or threatened violence, stolen, or otherwise diminished my wealth despite them being worse off for my leaving.

Then, last week, I paid my taxes.

Every time I pay property taxes, income taxes, or am otherwise required to give up my hard earned money to avoid punishment, I make a small note in the memorandum section of the check that reads: “vi coactus,” a Latin term meaning “having been forced, compelled, or coerced.” It’s an indication of my unwilling participation, and a personal acknowledgement that I am violating the Principle of Human Respect and my own moral compass.

As United States Attorney Cole Finegan recently said in a press release, “Everyone must pay their taxes, and if you don’t, there will be consequences.” In other words, I can’t opt out of paying those who directly violate the Principle of Human Respect without doing significant harm to myself and my family. The money taken from my community and family is used to fund Finegan’s salary, among others.

So, like many, I “go along to get along,” or as I’ve also had it explained to me: I “play the game” to avoid punishment.

Making a physical note on improperly taken monies is not the only way I try to say no:

For the past few elections, I’ve declined to provide my consent by voting. I serve as the volunteer Treasurer of a Political Action Committee seeking to support New Hampshire’s Independence from the United States. I welcome opportunities to practice Civil Disobedience, Jury Nullification, peaceful protest, to write and speak on the nature of human value and the downstream effects of disregarding the most basic human right to live ones own life.

Are any of these effective? Not nearly enough.

So far I’ve found that the Principle is sound, but it lacks teeth when facing those willing to violate it.

Those to whom the agency has been delegated often believe they are properly administering justice by initiating violence and diminishing the wealth of others. There is a lot to unpack when talking about the underlying belief, but it is still safe to say that Theft and violence always reduce happiness, harmony, and prosperity. Always.

Here is where I could use your help: How else do you peacefully work to say no when faced with violations of the Principle of Human respect? How can I help you practice them more effectively? Can you help me practice them more effectively?

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