I used Finland and Sweden as they have dreamy metrics on everything-healthcare, but I understand that taxes are sky-high. In these countries I consider taxes to be an "investment" and when you need the State, then the State is there FOR YOU, and doesn't throw you under the bus in a time of need.
In some other European countries (e.g. the PIIGS) with the budget cuts, all social care/benefits have worsened dramatically.
I moved to Finland a while back. Taxes are indeed sky-high, but at the same time I can see that they're being used.
Streets are clean, local transport works (busses, trams, local-trains), education is world-leading, healthcare is great, etc, etc.
I'm sure there are people scamming money off the top, corruption is universal, but I can't begrudge paying taxes when the country seems to be so well run.
(I'm a foreigner, I suspect I wouldn't know if it were badly run!)
This has given me a lot to think about, because I have felt like I've been on both sides of the line, but, I have of course because it's suited me when I need it.
I feel like government is still not the right institution to make purchasing decisions, but until we make one, it's unbeatable.
But, this might also be cultural. People who come to the US are usually willing to take high risks and carry with that a certain sense of irritation with those who don't, and I feel like that might be where a lot of our national culture carries with it this sort of perspective.
I could of course be super wrong, but I think if we could erase the concept of "fairness" in this area, we might make more progress in actually helping real people with real problems
In some other European countries (e.g. the PIIGS) with the budget cuts, all social care/benefits have worsened dramatically.