I don't know whether the government offering free things is a good idea. Let's assume that it can sometimes be a good thing. What could they offer that they're not currently offering?
EDIT: Okay maybe I shouldn't have used the word "free" hahaha
Again, I have no idea if the government should actually do this, and I'm aware that there is no such thing as "free", but let's play with the idea.
This is not specific to any country.
Maybe a free flight and some sort of coupons for hostels, maybe some money.
Connect it to the post office service somehow.
When you are born you get a social security number. You get a checking and savings account.
Our tax dollars cover a good deal of the costs, but there are entrance fees (not that I’m complaining…they’re worth every penny).
In the early 2000's I worked on several projects to create city-wide municipal WiFi networks, one was in Philadelphia, and it died on the vine, as did probably most of these projects. Still, the idea of ubiquitous internet access for free as an enabler for business and innovation seems sound. I have seen many communities with free WiFi in recreation centres, libraries and other municipal asset sites, but I'm thinking if it was everywhere, businesses could run point of sale and other services more cheaply, and Starbucks wouldn't be the only place you could get something done outside the home or office.
The government could offer free health care to all of its citizens. This would provide people with access to medical care and improve their overall health.
Helps strengthen communities and improves health
I'm not sure if any of these are a good idea but perhaps we can start a conversation or spark another idea.
Enough to support but not to live on. I would say somewhere between $5k - $7k / person. Intentionally not enough to be comfortable or even possible but a starting point.
Most of us "spend" a large part of our incomes on paying taxes to the government. But what value do we get in return for this spending? We do have plenty of established benefits. For one, the taxes pay for the maintenance and security of the country. It also pays for enforcement of laws, public services like libraries and schools, government employees to keep all of the paperwork and records in order, the salaries of our politicians, the military, and the legal system, among many other things.
But what else can the government offer that it doesn't already?
I've always been fascinated by the Library of Congress, but have never visited despite working for the federal government and living near Washington DC. I think it's because it's intimidating. My local library allows me to check out books and magazines digitally. It would be awesome if the Library of Congress has a similar service.
(I'm assuming we're talking about the US government.)
Everything that "government" does is paid for by taxpayers (and debt / inflation, a different form of tax).
So to answer the question: Nothing. Nothing the govt could offer can ever be free.
First off - nothing is "free." We are paying for programs via taxes. I'm making a list for the US.
We've already found out that the current system doesn't work. Unless you are really wealthy you risk going bankrupt under our current system. That doesn't make sense. I would gladly pay a little more in taxes to make sure this isn't a problem for anyone. I'd also like to add that in the current system, hospitals are designed to never have an open bed, or a doctor or nurse that is sitting around doing nothing. THIS IS WHY WE HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE ECONOMY. DURING CORONA And it's not a good system. There is a monopoly in healthcare now with very few health systems and very few insurance providers. Time to start over.
