Why isn't or why can't it be big government duty as well? The government isn't some untouchable monster we should fear. The government is made up of us, the people. We've seen what can happen in the past with people like Hitler and other totalitarian governments and I'm not saying it can't happen again, but we have a whole lot of people around protecting it from happening again. It's why there should more than a two-party system as well. I'm not a socialist, by the way, I just think they have it right on some issues, at least. I think almost all branches of politics are right and wrong on different things.
I don't want to discredit these wonderful people, but their inclusion here seems to be an Appeal To Authority.
You're right. Free healthcare does not imply free completely in the sense that the service is just magically given to whoever needs it... No, we pay a little more in taxes. Everyone does, and that supplies everyone with "free" health in the sense that they pay nothing for their meds or hospital visits. It would be particularly useful for me as I get sick a lot. I don't know how Canada works it, but it's not the same plan everywhere, that's for sure. Maybe Canada does it differently than France. I don't know. But I know you Canadians have longer lifespans than us and a lower infant mortality rate than us. You're doing something right. I had my wisdom teeth removed recently and I had to wait 3 weeks to go to the specialist to get it done. And that is here in America. So, we wait too. I'm sorry to hear about your family members struggle. Cancer is an awful thing. People die everywhere with it, even with the best treatment. I hope they can find a cure someday.