Scandinavia - working socialist economies?

[hetron]

A lot of people feel it is morally justifiable; they feel that providing for the social welfare is more important than people paying too much in taxes. It's a value judgment. If people don't agree with it, they can leave the country. Apparently, most people don't care enough to leave the country and go somewhere else, so they don't care too much about it.

[tylerdurden]

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A lot of people feel it is morally justifiable; they feel that providing for the social welfare is more important than people paying too much in taxes.

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Why don't they form voluntary cooperatives to provide this social welfare to those who want to participate in their system, then? Why the need to subjugate others into it? You keep avoiding this question. Yes, lots of people like it. That's great. Now what about those who don't?

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If people don't agree with it, they can leave the country.

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Ah, there it is. It's always just a matter of time before the "love it or leave it" argument comes up. There's a "social contract" that you've "tacitly consented" to, just by the misfortune of being born in an oppressive state, right?

If the government doesn't like my distate for their "social welfare" why don't they just go find someone else who DOES like it? Why are my property rights less important than some busybody's desire to do things with my money?

Does a kid "tacitly consent" to wedgies when he shows up at school, where he knows a bully also attends? Hey, if you don't like it, go to another school!

[hetron]

Methinks you complain too much. You keep comparing taxation to other types of oppression. Most people just don't see it as THAT oppressive. Most people in scandinavia probably think property rights are important, but that social welfare is more important. If you see it as oppression, you and your ilk would certainly be in the minority in scandinavia.

[tylerdurden]

So if I steal just *a little bit*, it's OK? I mean, come on, I didn't rob Fort Knox! Everybody else is doing it!

[tylerdurden]

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Most people in scandinavia probably think property rights are important, but that social welfare is more important.

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Is it OK to steal from a fat guy if you give his money to poor people? He's fat, he must be eating more than enough, right?

[hetron]

If stealing from the fat guy means someone doesn't have to die in the street homeless, or some kid who is dying of cancer but parents can't afford to pay for chemo gets to live, I think the people of scandinavia have pretty much spoken to this.

[tylerdurden]

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You keep comparing taxation to other types of oppression. Most people just don't see it as THAT oppressive.

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Chaung Tsu:

"A petty thief is put in jail. A great brigand becomes ruler of the state."