This post first appeared at the Free Patriot Press and was written by Darryl Perry who also reported on this for his Freedom Minute podcast.

Liberty activist Michele Seven recently had her truck and boat impounded by the Chesterfield, New Hampshire Police Department (and subsequently by the Dublin, NH PD) because she refused to “ask permission to use” her personal property.

Most people don’t give vehicle registration a second thought – it is accepted as something that MUST be done. While every State in these United States and the District of Columbia have statutes mandating vehicle registration, have you ever thought “why must one register a vehicle?” The simple answer is, “money” though a more complex answer involves some background information.

In 1892 the Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill creating a Commission of Inquiry to report on the condition of roads in the Commonwealth that were becoming congested with automobiles, horse drawn carriages and pedestrians. The Commission reported that more than 90 percent of the roads were in poor condition and would only deteriorate further with continual heavy and unregulated use. The investigation led to the creation of the Massachusetts Highway Commission (MHC).[MassDOT] The Massachusetts DOT claims, that “no laws were governing the rules of the road which led to a great deal of confusion on the thoroughfares as well as a lack of public safety.” And in 1903 Massachusetts became the first State to issue licenses and registration plates for an automobile.

The ever popular “it’s for your own safety” excuse was used to mandate vehicle registration. Though vehicle registration does not guarantee “public safety” though it does provide a nice database of vehicle owners. Vehicle Registration (lack thereof or improperly displayed registration) also gives police a “justifiable” reason for stopping a motorist in an attempt to raise more revenue. Vehicle registration also unfairly taxes people that don’t use the roads as often as others. Michele Seven writes, “I understand that the roads need to be maintained and believe that until private roads, funding and maintenance are the standard; the use of fuel tax, which correlates to one’s actual use of the road, is the most equitable”

Mandatory registration of any kind is unjust, whether it be registration of vehicle, firearm or business. If you want your State legislature to take action on this injustice you may wish to circulate the following petition:

We, the undersigned, hereby request that vehicle registration, including, but not limited to: automobiles, motorcycles, and recreation vehicles, be voluntary and the fees be, as well.

Michele Seven is charged with driving an unregistered vehicle. Here is what she (aka sasslass) had to say on the Free Keene Forum:

I have been a long-time supporter of not asking permission to drive my privately-owned vehicles on public roads. I understand that the roads need to be maintained and believe that until private roads, funding and maintenance are the standard, the use of fuel tax, which correlates to one’s actual use of the road is the most equitable. Regardless of whether you agree with that, you may agree with the idea that the current use of coercion, albeit vehicle registration is morally wrong as there is not an option to Opt-out…other than to not drive, I guess.

In the last few weeks, I have received 9 tickets for driving unregistered vehicles and accompanying violations and had two of my vehicles towed- twice each. I negotiated with the tow companies for reduced charges and they happily accommodated me. I asked Don (who signed my petition to Opt-out of Vehicle Registration and fees), who is an employee of Leon’s on So. Main why Leon’s complies, even when asked to do something they believe is wrong. (Both he and Don, the man who towed my truck and boat from in front of my house where the last tow company had left it at the behest of Chesterfield PD. could not understand why they were towed and that in their professional opinion and experience, they were fine where they were.

My intention is to go to court, both Jaffrey, where “we” have thus far been well-received and Keene where “we” have not, and use the opportunity to bleed the state, practice leading by example and encouraging others to not be afraid of the State, practice “going before the judge” as I imagine I’ll be doing that regarding the IRS sooner than later, now that I am in the court system here in NH, and to push back, making it harder and harder for the State to collect funds. At the same time, I’m gathering signatures (and would LOVE help on this) so that public interest/opinion can be harnessed…against the State.

Although I do not vote myself and believe the system to be the problem, I am not so inclined to believe that others, who are just as pro-liberty as I, are wrong in wanting to take the approach of eradicating bad laws from within the system. (If there was an infection in your body, I would suggest antibiotics as well as natural immune system boosters like pineapple…) Therefore, if someone would like to propose a bill to the house, whatever information I gather, they are welcome to it, including the contact info of all signers who I have assured may be used for that purpose but it will be blacked out if the petition is forwarded to government people.

One of my observations regarding the efforts here in NH with all the various projects liberty activists are doing is that we keep reinventing the wheel. Rather than handing off a baton like a relay, it appears that each “race” starts at the start line…we are going to burn out if we don’t change that. I would love help with my efforts to remove government from protection, provision and permission- THAT is my goal. While we are building resources to compete with the current monopolistic system, weakening this existing violent one is something that most of us would agree is necessary. I would also like to help others in their efforts.

One of my areas of minimal skill is web design (I don’t even know if I am using the right word). How great would it be to give a web address to each signer where information about the progress of my and other’s vehicle registration cases, current legislation, and public opinion measures can be found? Well, if I have to take the time to do that, it won’t get done. I simply don’t have time to learn the skill with all the other things I have going on. But if someone else would like to do that, I would be happy to submit content. As mentioned, I’m also seeking signers in order to establish public opinion. I cannot obviously be in more than one place at a time. Dale and Ian were very kind and generous to each take a petition sheet with the hope of getting it filled with 20 signatures from areas I’ve not covered. If others would also participate, that would be greatly appreciated.

I was criticized for trying to appeal to the system with the petition. As I said, however, I am not personally submitting it to the house. What my immediate goal is in collecting signatures is to present them to the court to give the judge and police an “out” without getting egg on their faces; they can stop enforcing bad laws. (If Jaffrey steps up, redress of grievances against Burke will be easier and jurisdiction can all be moved to Jaffrey.) We all are pretty confident that it will not happen. Therefore I will be suing the cop who towed my vehicles and then the Chesterfield PD who had them towed to the place from which the Dublin PD again towed them. (Whew!) And then going from there. Ultimately, I would like to see politicos reject public opinion about the 125 million dollar a year revenue stream and in turn have the public say “What the fuck?” Too many people have been slowly cooked and getting a sharp poke may be helpful in encouraging others to opt out and say “no” to slavery and “yes” to liberty.

If you would like to jump in with your ideas and contribute, that would be great. Hunter offered a simple suggestion that for the petition, I have the top few on each page filled out so that nobody new is seeing a blank page, as if they are the first signer. That was great! It was easily assimilated and executed. Ian suggested I use the phrase “opt-out” and that too was helpful and more precise than what I’d had before. If anyone has any skills, please get involved as this is much bigger than a one-woman show.

From her State v. Michele Seven event on Facebook for a previous hearing:

There is not a single person who believes that registering vehicles is righteous or just. For this reason, I think it’s a great opportunity to include the locals and practice some outreach as well as support for moi. In addition, I will be a victim of the court in Keene a few months later with Burke presiding for the exact same charge [of driving an unregistered vehicle].

If you’d like to get involved in what Michele has planned for this Opt-Out effort, please contact her. So far over 50 people have signed petitions to “Opt-Out” of vehicle registrations.