Do we really control our government or does our government control us?

we are in serious need of a new monetary system that can be backed up by and actual standard of value that is lawful and just. Yes it may be easier to go into a grocery store a pay for food using a card, where as it would be more of a hle to barter with a farmer or even grow the food yourself but if it meant less reliance on the government and its control over you with your compliance to their policy wouldn’t it be worth your hardship. Are we really traveling in the right direction?