Responding to Offers or Demands We have an unlimited ability to contract with our fellow human beings in any way that

we choose. Our choices are dependent not upon our circumstances, but only upon our knowledge and will and creative intelligence. Whether in commerce or law or life, whenever someone demands something from us, it is an offer to contract. There are only five ways we can respond to an offer to contract. 1) We can ignore; 2) We can argue or contest; 3) We can reject the offer or refuse for cause, without dishonor, as long as it is an erroneous claim and there is no liability evidenced (see UCC 3-501); 4) We can accept; or 5) We can conditionally accept. Ignoring is dishonoring, both to the offerer and the offeree. In commerce, it means agreeing by acquiescence. If someone sends us a bill and we ignore it, we have committed a commercial dishonor and we have agreed that we owe it. They have become the creditor in the matter and we have become the debtor/ slave. Arguing is dishonoring to everyone as well, no matter how righteous it seems. Ultimately, no points of view are absolutely valid and in a fight, force and deception are relied upon by all but the saintliest of parties. The loser will certainly become a debtor in the matter; the victor's creditorship may be a crime. Honorably rejecting and the two ways of accepting are the only ways we can remain in honor and take full responsibility for our life and our world and not be a victim or a debtor. Full acceptance is appropriate when we agree with the substance and form of whatever is being offered. Conditional acceptance is more appropriate when we are not sure about those things. All conditional acceptances are counter-offers: "Sure, I'll go to town with you if you help me clean up that mess first" OR "Sure, I'll accept that upon proof of your claim, in the form of a signed affidavit by you, under penalties of perjury and under your personal, unlimited commercial liability". Learning how to accept conditionally is fundamental to learning how to remain in creditor relationship with and be able to freely control any situation. See also: Private vs. Public; Creditor or Debtor; Being in Honor; Handling Presentments; Adhesion Contracts