Kuger I think there is an element of that going on for sure. More so the creating money out of thin air. You and I both know that's only reserved for the Feds. I also think there's a tax angle to it as well. The government can't track something you pull out of a river and then turn into cash. The way they see it is your stealing their money from their resources.
Anyways I think most of this crap stems from the if it feels good, then do it crowd. The only problem with these type of people is that if it doesn't feel good to them, then you shouldn't do it either. Your only free to do what they feel is right.
Sadly this type of dictatorship through popular opinion, or at the least perceived popular opinion leads only to one of 2 out comes. Surrender or an uprising.