5 ms·

Last year I had appendicitis in Italy, where I live. I called a cab to reach the nearest hospital, since I didn't feel so bad as warranting an ambulance. I got

Last year I had appendicitis in Italy, where I live. I called a cab to reach the nearest hospital, since I didn't feel so bad as warranting an ambulance. I got accepted, visited, transferred to the larger nearby hospital by ambulance, appendectomy, 4 nights stay, and I was provided with the drugs for the convalescence. When I was dismissed I took another cab back. Total expense: ~25€ for the two taxi rides. Very happy to pay my taxes, and very happy that when I don't need it myself, they go into financing the healthcare services for others that may or may not be able to pay out of pocket.

anonym29 2mo ago
This sounds like a great deal if your annual taxes are less than your annual unsubsidized medical expenses, and a terrible deal if your annual taxes stretch into the six figure range as a young healthy person.
- Avicebron 2mo ago
  Doesn't this young person theoretically become older and less healthy as time passes? How many young people have six figures in taxes and not understand reciprocity?
  - anonym29 2mo ago
    Reciprocity is great when all parties contribute equal amounts, all parties receive an equal share of the benefit, and the arrangement is strictly voluntary. Think toll roads where everyone pays the same price, only the people using the road pay for it, and everyone using it benefits from it. It's less great when some parties are expected to give more than they receive in return (in order to provide for those who give less than they receive in return), without their consent, enforced by the state's monopoly on lawful violence, and are demonized for so little as daring to express dissatisfaction with the involuntary arrangement.
- pjc50 2mo ago
  > annual taxes stretch into the six figure range as a young healthy person At that point you're in the, what, top 2% of salaries? Especially for your age band.
  - deleted 2mo ago
    [deleted]

anonym29 2mo ago

This sounds like a great deal if your annual taxes are less than your annual unsubsidized medical expenses, and a terrible deal if your annual taxes stretch into the six figure range as a young healthy person.

Avicebron 2mo ago
Doesn't this young person theoretically become older and less healthy as time passes? How many young people have six figures in taxes and not understand reciprocity?
- anonym29 2mo ago
  Reciprocity is great when all parties contribute equal amounts, all parties receive an equal share of the benefit, and the arrangement is strictly voluntary. Think toll roads where everyone pays the same price, only the people using the road pay for it, and everyone using it benefits from it. It's less great when some parties are expected to give more than they receive in return (in order to provide for those who give less than they receive in return), without their consent, enforced by the state's monopoly on lawful violence, and are demonized for so little as daring to express dissatisfaction with the involuntary arrangement.
pjc50 2mo ago
> annual taxes stretch into the six figure range as a young healthy person At that point you're in the, what, top 2% of salaries? Especially for your age band.
- deleted 2mo ago
  [deleted]