>Many users and enthusiastic supporters I know are anti-big and centralized government.
i.e. engaged in illegal activities
How do you roll a Bitcoin up to snort a line of coke?
Physical illegal activities are better paid in untraceable cash or trade (sex for drugs). Using bitcoin just adds a layer of traceability. It's not perfect but it works to the extent that the data can be clustered (e.g. drug dealer gets statistically associated with other dealers).
The point that you and the other detractors are missing is that bitcoin is used far more often for legal activities that are outside the purview of corporations and government. For example, someone can hire anyone they want for as little or as much as they can pay if that person is willing to provide a digital good. In the future the majority of forums will be run like that, get paid for high quality timely information.
It is funny how the “conservative” “small government” and “anti regulation” folks walk around pounding their chests against the evils of bitcoin. But the bitcoin world is EXACTLY what a small government, low regulation, personal responsibility world looks like. There is no government safety net and mistakes are met with harsh reality, not do-overs or protection from bad guys.
It is the jungle.