}The United States is a sovereign nation. Do you dispute that ? The }constitution is a binding agreement between the government and its citizens }that determines how that sovereignty will be exercised, the elements in which }the nation will not interfere with citizens, and the duties which it will }carry out.

Haven't read much Lysander Spooner, or merely ignoring him? If the former, try his essay: No Treason: The Consitution of No Authority. You can find it on the web, just use your favorite spider/whatever. If the Constitution is a binding agreement, show me where I signed. A contract requires two things of which I am aware (maybe some others that I am not, since IANAL :-) - Agreement by all signatories, and performance. We have at least one missing item in that list. If you wish to make the argument that since I have paid taxes, I have agreed, then I will most heartily beg to differ. I pay under protest, sometimes silent, sometimes not, but never do I pay willingly. If on the other hand you wish to argue from different grounds, I will listen. But, with all due respect for your opinions (which is considerable, actually) I expected better. Kurt