Well, as opposed to an Insurance system or a Free Market.
The reason being, people are stupid. Look at Credit Unions, HP, Double Glazing, an edition of Watchdog. You open a free market on basic social care, and people will be ripped off by shysters.
Of course, personally I believe stupid people should be penalised, but that's not a palatable view.
I'd rather have a nanny state than one which lets you fall out of the pram.
Re:
The reason being, people are stupid. Look at Credit Unions, HP, Double Glazing, an edition of Watchdog. You open a free market on basic social care, and people will be ripped off by shysters.
Of course, personally I believe stupid people should be penalised, but that's not a palatable view.
I'd rather have a nanny state than one which lets you fall out of the pram.