In the lecture presentation by Steven Hill at the University of Illinois this past week, the development models between the United States and Europe were compared. Looking at pros and cons of each model, Steven Hill discussed how Europe’s development model was best suited for the 21st century and benefited the tax payers better than the United States’ model. A major difference between the two development plans is that the taxes paid in Europe are redistributed into social spending programs such as healthcare, child care, and university educations where as in the United States is in invested primarily into the military and back into the pockets of the wealthy. Paying half the amount of money and receiving better care, Europe has a healthcare system established to take care of the people, one that should be emphasized in countries throughout the world. Prioritizing their needs, countries in Europe recognize the necessity to provide systems that better the lives of the people. Through funding programs such as education and healthcare, it is possible to not only protect the citizens from harmful diseases but also educate them on how to live a healthy lifestyle and to prevent the spread of infectious illnesses. Preventative ways such as investing in social programs is a way to stop the vicious cycles of poor health from generation to generation. Utilizing taxes payers’ dollars, like countries in Europe do, people can benefit from the opportunities and resources given through social spending.
Redistributing taxes through the education and healthcare systems has definitely proven to be effective, as European citizens show to have increased longevity in comparison to the citizens of the United States. Reconstructing the healthcare system, unfortunately, is a long process and we are far from reaching that stage right now. Using taxes to fund preventative healthcare, however, is not too far out of reach for the US. Even by increasing funds for health education and preventative health programs, the US population should see positive changes in their physical well being.
ReplyDeleteTaxes were made to help the government pay for things the people needed, such as infrastructure, schools, and protection. Europe has caught on to this fact; this is probably why European citizens are fairing so well. The US is still pouring money (that they don't have) into a war that we can't win (or we already have, depending on who you talk to) and taking that money from essential sectors like education.
ReplyDeleteSteven Hill definition point out the benefits that the European citizens had. Using people taxes on programs such as education and health care, it not only protects the citizens in the country from risky diseases but also can educate them on how to live a healthy lifestyle to prevent illnesses. But at the same time, it needs time for US making better development on where should spend taxes that people pay. As we can see that the US was beginning spend money for health education or health programs. It was a good start and seeing more people being healthy in the country.
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