I was told growing up that I won’t like socialism once I have to start paying taxes. I pay taxes, but would much rather pay way more taxes to have socialism. Including paying for social programs I wouldn’t use like welfare, free tuition etc.
Once I qualified for work pharmacare that was great! But I remember how much it sucked not having any health insurance. Yeah I bootstrapped it, but I’d hope we would grow up as a species and not have to have so much bootstrapping, since there are better ways at this point.
Here in the Netherlands I already pay quite high taxes!
I am happy to take actions that decrease my own “quality of life” if it helps others live better lives, but I don’t think paying even more taxes to the dutch government is the most efficient way to get help to those who need it the most. I prefer having agency over how my money is used to help others. I am originally from Mexico and my family lives there, and the “extra” money that I have is peanuts in the Netherlands but can actually make a significant difference there. I prefer donating to projects that I think are valuable, give to people directly, and also to contribute to conservation efforts.
I wouldn’t be against paying more taxes, but I would want these extra taxes to be used to help people in other countries.