It’s frustrating, because there’s a kernel of truth to all this. Government identities exist to manage credits and debts. If you’ve got a driver’s license and you’re caught speeding (or merely accused of it by a cop with a quota to fill), then you can be assigned a debt that can be used to garnish wages or seize property.
But… there’s no secret cheat code to avoiding these debts by simply denying the identity a government has on file isn’t yours. And while we can argue the fairness of the system, I don’t think there’s any doubt of its efficacy. A sheriff and his deputies can absolutely collect, whether you consent or not.
Roleplaying like this is how these folks are coping. It helps give them the courage and the self-determination to resist the guys in uniforms who do the dirty work of the system. Its irrational, sure. But when you get down to material conditions, its either “Believe a crazy mishmash of weird shit so you can justify fighting back” or “Accept the status quo and surrender”.
It’s roleplay. These people are roleplaying administrative skills, with fantasy names and concepts
It’s frustrating, because there’s a kernel of truth to all this. Government identities exist to manage credits and debts. If you’ve got a driver’s license and you’re caught speeding (or merely accused of it by a cop with a quota to fill), then you can be assigned a debt that can be used to garnish wages or seize property.
But… there’s no secret cheat code to avoiding these debts by simply denying the identity a government has on file isn’t yours. And while we can argue the fairness of the system, I don’t think there’s any doubt of its efficacy. A sheriff and his deputies can absolutely collect, whether you consent or not.
Roleplaying like this is how these folks are coping. It helps give them the courage and the self-determination to resist the guys in uniforms who do the dirty work of the system. Its irrational, sure. But when you get down to material conditions, its either “Believe a crazy mishmash of weird shit so you can justify fighting back” or “Accept the status quo and surrender”.
That is really well said