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John Salvatier's avatar

I wonder if the cause is not slightly different not _Showing That You Care_ but _Showing That You're Caring_. Its not that you're showing that you care towards the recipients of the care but showing that you're caring or all the people observing you. That explains why people want to extend the life of the very old and frail (who must not be very good allies by now). And why they spend a lot of time arguing about the health care of strangers (e.g. arguing about nationalized health care).

I think this matches my internal experience of fear when saying I don't favor nationalized health care. I'm afraid people will think I'm an uncaring asshole.

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Stephen Diamond's avatar

I think the Hansonian response would (or should) be coalition politics: creating the NHS was driven by a political coalition (gathered by the Labor Party). Opponents, such as the large-employer class--who pay more than they receive--aren't viewed as beneficiaries of largesse.

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