[factsaresacred]

> You paid nothing because you were subsidized by others.

This is the story of civilization. You've been around for a blip and yet the Internet, flight, mobile phones, vaccines, civil rights, central heating etc. are all available to you.

You didn't contribute to any of that and yet you're the benefactor. For society to flourish it's necessary - within reason - to think beyond your own individual interests, and consider what type of society you want to live in and leave behind.

One in which people are financially ruined if they fall or give birth is surely not the best we can do.

[point78]

Excellent post. Sums up everything why I agree with this governmental model. Will save this comment.

[jpambrun]

To add to this, I'm a selfish guy from Canada. However, I realize it's in my selfish interest to have an healthy and well educated population in order to improve my own quality of life and those of my loved ones (to which my selfish interests extend).

I mean, we are not saints here, we all make decisions that we believe are good for us. I just can't imagine how one can rationalize that private healthcare and insurance is good for them.

[henrikschroder]

"I like to pay taxes. With them, I buy civilization."