It's probably a mistake to say that would be the only difference though. Paying taxes sucks everywhere, but if you keep taxes high like that, then you have to contend with what economists call brain drain. Some people who can figure this stuff out will want to go to a place where they can earn more of their keep. So at least if we continue to poorly teach math and science to everyone, we can still import sufficient scientists.
I'm just saying, even if we wanted to be more socialist, it would be bad if we just jumped into the pool with everybody else. I don't see how anyone is magically better educated, with a higher standard of living, and a healthier lifestyle just because of socialism. Rich Republican Catholics tend to do better on their SATs than the public school kids.
