These days, there is a lot of discussion whether the world’s richest country should have socialised medicine. And a lot of people argue against it, because they think it’s going to be expensive for them… Well, add up all your income taxes, sales tax, medical insurance and compare it to any country’s which has socialised medicine.

Believe me, the ones with the higher tax rate are not going to be the ones with socialised medicine. And you would never, ever have to worry about losing your house because you lost your job and fell ill, and now you can’t pay your medical bills.

And long waiting times? That’s only a myth. They may be longer, but not nearly as long as you make it out to be.

To be honest, there are some things wrong with our system as well. For example, in Estonia, we have a 1.5 year maternity leave with 80% salary… And you can keep your job, by law. Which really isn’t so much about socialised medicine, but more about social democracy in general.

As an Estonian, I think I’d rather have no maternity pay, if the average pay per month was €2500, rather than 1.5 years of maternity pay of 80% if it was €600… as it is now.

But I do love the healthcare system around here. It really is a lot easier to understand than the one in the US. Plus, you’d never be able to lose your… err, what’s the most valuable thing the average Estonian has?

No, not his house… Since the average Estonian lives in a tiny apartment/flat in a city… Oh, I know, his car! Which is usually a top-of-the-range BMW or Audi… Which he can not afford, and is in huge debt due to that. Which he doesn’t need either, since he only travels within city limits… which means public transport is not only faster, but cheaper as well. And more comfortable, most of the time. But that’s another topic.

80% maternity leave for 1.5 years is nothing when your life is too depressing to have children in the first place.

But to be honest, what’s so bad about social democracy, anyways?
You pay higher taxes when you have a job, and if something happens to you, the government will help you.

What would you rather have, lower taxes – but as good as dead if you lose your job, or higher taxes at first – but if something were to happen, you would be able to count on the government?

After all, you do not need to pay for health insurance, so it evens out quite well… Except only in the cash department, since you would be left to die if something were to happen.

Think about it.