[quote=pri_dk][quote=CA renter]I would gladly pay more in taxes to get the benefits that people in “socialist” countries get.[/quote]
How much do city firefighters in Sweden make?
How effective are their emergency services vs. ours?
I honestly don’t know the answer, but I’m guessing they make much less than those in the US and still do a fine job.
You are confounding two different questions:
1) What services should be provided by government vs. the private sector?
2) What is the right compensation for those providing government services?
In many cases it is optimal for government to be the provider – emergency services are certainly a good example of this. But it still needs to be done at a fair price.
Even if “socialism” is the best solution for some needs, the system will fail if the public pays too much for what it gets. Here in CA, the system is definitely failing.[/quote]
Realize that firefighers in Sweden (as well as most/all other employees) DO get govt-paid healthcare and pension/retirement benefits, in addition to a whole host of other benefits that we could only dream of here (paid maternity/paternity leave, free/heavily-subsidized, quality childcare, more vacation time, etc.). I’m not sure what they are paid, but would guess they are not living in poverty, and are treated fairly well.
