[nonethewiser]

> At the very least, Spain taxes a house for being empty and that revenue is recycled into free healthcare

You described the healthcare as free in the exact same sentence where you identified who pays for it.

I think socialized healthcare is the correct term.

[kristiandupont]

This pedantic objection is silly. First of all, nobody (well, no adult) is going to think that free means that it didn't cost anything -- there is no manipulation going on. But secondly, I would argue that the word doesn't mean what you are implying. If a bar offers you a free beer, would you also object that it was in fact paid for by someone? What would ever be "free", by your definition? Weather?