Why Hans Sherrer?

The following sequence of articles was written by Hans Sherrer, a long-time subscriber and contributor to THE VOLUNTARYIST. How and why did he become embroiled in the federal criminal justice system? I think the answer is two-fold and really quite simple.

First, the government needs the general public to believe that the elaborate law enforcement network of statutes, police, prosecutors, courts, jails, prisons, and probation officers is required for their safety. However, there are not enough real criminals to justify the existence of this vast governmental bureaucracy. Consequently, peaceful people must be turned into "criminals" either by fabicating evidence against them, by creating victimless crime laws, or writing government regulations which are beyond the ability of most people to understand. This explains how Hans, a non-criminal and for many years an owner of a plumbing company, became enmeshed in the law enforcement system. His "crime" is that in the course of an overseas business venture he allegedly "knowingly and willfully" failed to file a United States Customs form. Athough "ignorance of the law" may not be an excuse in some instances (you don't need to know there is a "law" against murder), in Hans' case no government agent ever informed him of the need to file the form. Furthermore, the government would have had access to the information that would have been disclosed on the form, even if Han's' hadn't filed it. This is a perfect example of how the bureaucrats running the law enforcement system can make innocent actions into "crimes" whenever it suits them.

The second reason relates to the issue of conquest and control. As we have repeatedly belabored in these pages, the essential purpose of coercive government is power; the power to control the lives and property of every resident in America. What better way to control them than to know everything possible about their personal and business life? As has been documented many times, the latest in SNITCH CULTURE (2001) by James Redden, Jr., the"Big Brother" surveillance of the world of 1984 is already here. The form Hans was accused of not filing is simply a refelction of the government's insatiable craving for information about us.

Hans asserted his innocence to his alleged "crime" by pleading "not guilty." He also refused to plea bargain for a lesser charge or lesser sentence. He took his chances before a jury, but as we all know, most people have a difficult time challenging authority. How could Hans be innocent if a federal prosecutor took his case before them? In today's world, rather than being innocent until proven guilty, the very fact of being charged with a crime, even a non-crime (such as failure to file a form), puts the burden of proof on the defendant to prove his innocence. The court system may yet vindicate Hans on appeal, but for many of us voluntaryists who oppose the government on principle, all we can say is, "There but for the grace of God, go I!"

Copyright Voluntaryists 2nd Quarter 2002
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