Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
it worth to live in a society where there is no homelessness, no hunger, and where every
child—regardless of the wealth of their parents—enjoys equal access to quality healthcare
and education?”
Olle and Maria pay high taxes with high expectations… high in the Alps.
The benefits are everywhere. A Slovenian friend of mine who had a baby was guar-
anteed a year's maternity leave at near-full pay…and was given a state-subsidized “starter
kit” with all the essential gear she needed to care for her newborn. If anyone (even a for-
eign traveler) goes to a public hospital for urgent care in Europe, they often won't even
see the bill. Higher education in Europe is subsidized; in many countries, it's entirely free,
and students even get “pocket money” while they are learning. Hundreds of thousands of
students and professors have traveled to other EU countries to study, teach, and build a
sprawling network of intra-European relations through the EU-funded Erasmus Program.
Don't get me wrong. Most Europeans grumble about paying sky-high taxes as much
as anyone, and tax evasion is a national pastime for many. But philosophically, they under-
stand that when it comes to taxes, the necessity outweighs the evil. European politicians
don't have to promise tax cuts to win elections. Many European voters support high taxes
and big government because they like what they get in return.
