> with an authority who has the power to injure me, or worse.
They do not lawfully have that power. What you are describing is fear of arbitrary violence from unaccountable tyrants.
I know that, dammit. But unless you want to carry a weapon and get into a gunfight with them every time you disagree with their point-of-view, it's best to comply at the moment and seek your remedies later, in a less violent way. There is zero percentage in arguing with a cop at the point where he's confronting you. He's got the badge, he's got the gun and he has the power of society behind him.