<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Always Flyin:
You do not individually get to decide which laws you will or will not follow--at least not without facing the applicable penalty if caught. If we allowed each person to decide which laws they will and will not follow, there would be anarchy.
We have a system of government by representation in the U.S. If you don't like a law, contact your representative and work through the system to get it changed. If you are unable to get it changed because you are in the minority and there is no reason to change the law based on compelling factors that affect that minority, you will have to follow the law.
Don't follow the law because it is not "moral" or "right," in your opinion, then be prepared to pay the price society will levy. In this case, forfeiture of the money.
If you are not a citizen and don't agree with the law, don't visit the country that imposes such laws.
This is not just a U.S. issue, by the way. When I entered Cambodia last week, the customs declaration required me to declare whether I was carrying cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the value of US$10,000.00.</font>
Each person has to do what he or she thinks is right. I would venture to guess that many people violate laws every day. You are right -- there is a risk in doing so. But we all have to do what we think is right for ourselves and use our own calculus as to risk/reward, and right/wrong.
I do not agree with a law that attempts to attach a US government interest to all of my property. That doesn't mean I'd violate the law as I might not want to take that chance. It isn't worth it to me.
But I would not compare Cambodia with the USA -- and if Cambodia does it, that might be a good reason to investigate it closely because it is probably not what the USA ought to be doing.