The only way you can defeat the federal government is to refuse to pay the government any taxes. The US federal government is way too overbloated as it is.
I agree.
They can't put everyone in jail. The problem is, you'll probably be one of a very few.
Society has a way of turning everyone against those who don't conform. Its got something to do with the fear of breakdown of society and losing some kind of `security'. So everyone'll probably be yelling for your blood.
I think (relatively) peaceful measures are better, until the shit really hits the fan.
Cheers