Paying for socialism

March 19th, 2006 at 11:19am

There's usually a big rift when it comes to the issue of government providing services to citizens. The socialist would say to provide healthcare and other services to everyone for free. The capitalist might say let the private sector handle those services and prices for it will settle where people are willing to pay for it.

The biggest problem I have with socialism is that nothing in life is free. If you want to give free healthcare to one person, someone else has to pay for it. In Britain, everyone is struggling under that burden and it is reflected in their taxation.

"a basic rate taxpayer pays £48.50 in tax on every £100 earned. Among higher rate taxpayers the figure is £57.10". 50% tax rate. Would you put up with that to provide healthcare for everyone?

Tagged with: government, taxes
Posted under: Political Stuff

6 Comments Add your own

1. Denise | March 19th, 2006 at 3:21 pm

I remember sitting in a supervision group once where students were complaining about the high price of tuition. One student said something to the effect of, “In Greece (where his family is from) education is free!” Then somebody asked what the tax rate there was. The guy guessed at least 50%. But then he added, “But you also get to ride the buses for free.” And I guess if that’s your logic, socialism looks pretty good. I for one would prefer to spend my own money in the ways I see fit.
2. Andrew Charlton | March 19th, 2006 at 3:45 pm

And it’s not so much that I’d rather spend my own money, but it is that I will spend my money more efficiently than the government. I can go get decent private sector health insurance for a couple hundred bucks a month (under a $100 for the cheap plans). How much would it cost the government to provide that service? Double? Triple?

If the people crying for universal healthcare got what they wanted, they would then turn around and scream about the resulting increase in unemployment and decrease in the economy.
3. Angelo | March 20th, 2006 at 9:58 pm

It should be like this… I earn my money I decide how to spend it Including how and who I want to give help to… There are always exceptions to the rule but I’m sure there are fewer people who truly need help and socialism hurts those who truly need the help because money is spread far too thin and often go to *help* the freeloaders, yes tax in Europe is high and often usage based.

I remember in Italy how expensive Gas was (taxes) and of how much the tax rate was… comparing it to how *nice* things were (socially) speak clearly that social programs just don’t work!
4. Nathan | March 21st, 2006 at 7:16 am

Not to mention socialism does away with the drive to succeed. That’s the worst part about welfare…not the actual expense it incurs, but the way it kills motivation and hard work.

People need some history lessons to learn why America is the great country it is today. It wasn’t by luck, it was by hardwork. Socialist ideals are anti-hardwork.
5. ~kevin | March 21st, 2006 at 1:33 pm

doesn’t “free” healthcare suffer in quality? I despise economics and typically abstain from such discussions, and maybe I’ll pay for that later, but I like the competitve nature of private medicine. I think it moves the medical world standards forward as a whole with scientists and doctors trying to be the best. Sure I might pay for a better doctor, but I like that option of chosing something better. Are brittish doctors working to be better than the next guy? to develop groundbreaking procedures? Why should they? it’s not going to allow them to charge more than that next guy. Seems there would be some stagnation in medical progress.
6. Nathan | March 21st, 2006 at 4:34 pm

That’s why Canada’s “free” healthcare system is horrific, and people drive to America for medical procedures. Watch the following video, something all American’s should do before they vote Democrat.

http://onthefencefilms.com/video/deadmeat/

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