Quote:
Originally posted by Hugh R
Your joking I hope... Is New Zealand a big socialist country or is it just you??
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Not joking, New Zealand is approximately the same as the US (maybe a touch to the left in respect of welfare and labour rules etc, but a significantly freer economy - no tariffs, minimal govt intervention etc).
And, despite the fact that I appear to be a Communist (what's the full phrase - from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs), I don't even remotely believe that.
You're confusing the application of the welfare and tax system with the principle underlying it. The principle is to redistribute some wealth in a fair manner - usually to maintain some sort of minimum standard. The outcome is often overly beneficial to some people, but equally some people avoid tax too.
Basically, you object to being taxed on good luck, good choices and hard work, resulting in wealth. I don't know that I can put this in any way that is palatable to you, but put simply, I believe you (and I) have an obligation to those who make poorer choices, have bad luck and don't work as hard. HOWEVER, in respect of poor choices I want a welfare and education system which encourages better choices, and in respect of hard work I don't want to see people slacking off being rewarded.
But I stand by my original comment - the tax dollars should be directed to those who need it. We could embark on a huge debate about what "need" means, but I'd be surprised if we actually disagree.
Alternatively, you really do believe that the more tax you pay, the more you should get from the government, and that you want to have a massive class division and a society predicated on haves and have nots.