Honestly, LG, what's the benefit in enforcing the law here? I feel a need to understand your reasoning. If nobody thinks it's real money, why enforce the law? Why waste valuable resources and inconvenience honest Americans if there's no harm?
First, I don;t think its all that obvious that it isn't real. I mean, I'd be suspicious if someone handed one to me, but its pretty apparent that the coin is designed to mimick an actual U.S. dollar. I think the fact that it carries a denomination is probably the crux of the problem because that it implies that it has some static value other than its silver content.
Second, it is a precedent issue. Remember, this outfit was also selling certificates representing ownership of these dollars saved at a "mint." Also, they had "regional offices" where people could buy and redeem these for cash. And, the outfit making them promoted the notion that people would spend them in commerce.
Imagine the bedlam that would result if anyone could just start printing their own currency, over which the Treasury had no control, and called a "dollar." This is one outfit, but they got big, fast. And their stated purpose was to create an alternative to the U.S. currency because of their politics.
Owning silver is fine. Buying and selling silver is fine. But you have to observe the distinction between that and minting or printing things that you say have x value in U.S. dollars and which is designed to replace actual currency.
Because the owner probably donated money to the Rs and is making a mockery of the current administration. Therefore he needs to be silenced
You are correct that the guy is a far right zealot.
One small problem with your argument: the raid and the prosecution occurred under George Bush.
