The only true defense of bitcoin are by those who recieve it. People must understand that when they accept bitcoin, it must be validated with software that enforces the rules they agree to. If they don't agree with the rules of the software, they are recieving a counterfeit UTXO.

These adversarial BIPs like 444 and 111 are indeed a slippery slope, but as Scott Adams has said for decades, "The slippery slope is an illusion." That's not to say one should be complacent, but your recognition of a potential trend is not evidence that trend will manifest. If you are concerned about a trend, separate the evidence from the cause in your arguments; because it's the cause that worries you, not merely the potential trend.

Facts:

* Authority flows upward from the validating node, not downward from any institution.

* Corruption enters only when receivers cease being adversarial and begin being trusting.

* The system’s incorruptibility is not static; it is actively maintained through verification.

Danger:

Human tendencies toward convenience, regulatory deference, or institutional trust may incentivize adoption of compromising mechanisms.

Safeguard:

Sovereignty remains where obedience is directed. The node is the locus of judgment. Every acceptance by a human is a volitional and covenantal act.