[mick87]

It differs depending on where in Europe you live of course, my perspective is from the Nordics. I see it, instead of "they take x % of my pay", as that we collectively decided to fund these healthcare, paid vacation, maternity and paternity leave, education, child care, social security so that everyone has a fair chance and are taken care of.

[a008t]

I suspect this kind of mentality only works in a fairly homogeneous society, where everyone enjoys the collective benefits fairly uniformly.

[Insanity]

Yeah, I'm from western EU and share that same idea. I don't mind paying the taxes because they are put to good (imo) use.

Which is interesting - my wife has a quite different background (North America) and sees the socialism as a waste of money, as it mostly helps the poor and disadvantages the 'less poor'.

Personally, my view is that right now my family has it well, but it might not be like that forever and _maybe_ the system will repay itself and maybe it won't, but I'm happy knowing that it's there just in case.

(On a related note, she also thinks it's silly that over here we have a lot of insurances)