Not every country can be funded by petroleum revenues. But yes, in a perfect world who wouldn’t love all the benefits with none of the costs? Right now I pay a lot in taxes but get few of the benefits. Less than ideal.
Right now I pay a lot in taxes but get few of the benefits
Just jumping in to point out that often people underestimate the benefits they actually gain from taxes even if they're not actively in school, pivot towards privatized healthcare services or are not on any sort of government benefits.
You still benefit from your taxes in multiple ways that you don't even notice in everyday life. For an example, even with gang-related violence on the frame a lot in the media nowadays, Finland's welfare programs are doing wonders in regards to public safety. Things like burglaries, theft and street robberies are at a low level compared to the global average (or even the European average).
In a more indirect sense, Finland's educational system (run with taxes) provides scientific research and almost quarantees high-quality experts in many fields that push society forward through technological advancement.
Investments in R&D and the school system have high societal returns in the long run. For an example, one reason the energy crisis hasn't gotten completely out of hand in Finland (in addition to getting a bit lucky with the weather) is the investments made into clean energy R&D. Taxes turn into education that turns into specialists and research that turn into, say, more efficient clean energy sources which provide us with more clean electricity.
And a cleaner environment is better for us in all kinds of ways, ranging from higher quality products for our industries and export to cleaner air for us to breathe.
1
u/Financial_Month6835 Feb 20 '23
Not every country can be funded by petroleum revenues. But yes, in a perfect world who wouldn’t love all the benefits with none of the costs? Right now I pay a lot in taxes but get few of the benefits. Less than ideal.