RE: It's the gift economy- why wouldn't it be tax free?

Philosophically, we are very closely aligned.

Practically, though, I can tell you that this won't work:

"Giving you a vote is less work than writing you a check or giving you cash. Technically if I write you a check it's the bank that's giving you the gift not me. So, I'm not sure I agree with you there. "

The bank is the custodian of your funds in your account which you have a legal claim to. Therefore, the gift is from you.

The blockchain is not your custodian. You do not own the Steem your vote gives out. The steem your vote tags for later payment doesn't even exist yet. It's literally impossible to be yours, so you cannot gift it. All you have done is vote for who should get disbursement in a stake-weighted fashion.

If you don't own it, LEGAL TITLE, you cannot gift it.

This is game over. There is no legal argument you can counter this fact with.

You will need the sword to effect the changes you want, not the pen or the courtroom.

PS - You have my sword, incidentally, should you choose to go that route.