[extropy-chat] statistics, damned statistics, and taxation

[Patrick Wilken]

On 11 Nov 2004, at 17:53, Brian Lee wrote:

> Yeah, the US gets kind of ripped off. We pay for a massive defense but 
> get no healthcare. All the other countries get the benefit of not 
> having to keep a large army, nukes etc.

I think getting 'ripped off' implies someone is doing the ripping, but 
its America's choice to do these things. You might say we "shoot 
ourselves in the foot", but no one is ripping you off. Despite what 
Mike says, no one is forcing America to favor military budgets over 
health or education.

best, patrick