Hey Stephen,

Isn't labor only as "compelled" as it's ever been? In a capitalistic society, you work or you don't eat. Just the same as it was pre-civilization.

The role of fiat is as a store of value that can be easily exchanged, which simplifies things tremendously versus a bartering economy. I believe the first recorded form of money was cows. Of course, it has taken a variety of forms historically--many times gold, jewels, or stones--but in many of those instances it stood independent of any governmental oversight and played much of the same role.

And I'm no fan of bloated government, and I see the power that comes with formation of government currency and a central bank, but I also see the utility to the people in them. I don't think they change the direction in which the machine rolls, just maybe lubricate the gears some.