I'm not a PIC expert nor a consultant but would like to make a few basic
observations on this thread.

  1).  Unfortunately, in life, in the majority of times, cheaters do
prosper.  This isn't merely a cynical remark; I think history bares me out.
 Fortunately, cheaters have a bad press (although this is to their
advantage in that it inspires less competition).

 2).  I wish people wouldn't rationalize so much.  I used to (AppleIIe
days) use software that I hadn't paid for but in my own mind didn't try to
justify it; I realized that it was wrong, greed drove me to it anyway.
Finally, conscience drove me to throw it away or pay for it.

 3).  May of the arguments that have been given in favor or opposed to some
views don't seem to strike a balance between near and far term effects.
Yes, if you're strapped for cash, $ 25/hr looks good even if in more normal
(or at least past) circumstances, your services fetched a much higher rate.
 On the other hand, giving in too soon, or being "pragmatic" may mean a new
way of doing business such that you will never get anything but $ 25/hour
again.

John-

P.S.  How many of you contributed to the PIC fund?