In the modern era, medical care and schooling are always said to be at the root of a society’s development. There is a heated debate on whether the government should provide for its citizens. In this essay, both viewpoints will be discussed, along with my own view at the end.
On the one hand, getting support for fundamental needs undoubtedly benefits the grassroots. This practice can potentially shorten the social gap in society, as it guarantees that everyone in the country gets a chance to study. At the same time, there is a saying that ‘knowledge is power’. With education, the lower class can climb the social ladder more easily, and hence their quality of life can improve. Moreover, it is not uncommon for people to suffer or even die when facing various illnesses. This situation can be improved when citizens’ well-being is taken care of by a system.
On the other hand, I am convinced that the responsibility for spending money on basic needs should be taken by residents. Since free services are provided to the community, it is possible that citizens may become overdependent on them. For instance, Hong Kong does provide free healthcare, but it is also infamous for the long waiting hours in the accident and emergency department. Individuals with minor illnesses also rely on hospital care and are unwilling to seek paid clinics. Those requiring immediate support are overlooked, and it also increases the workload of the medical field. As for education, students may believe that free courses are guaranteed and be less motivated. Consequently, they may result in an unsatisfactory degree and develop an unfavorable future career. Furthermore, countries may have extremely high taxes to enforce the free system. As a result, families will have to overcome financial pressure, and the possibility of enhancing their earnings is slim.
In conclusion, although government financial support is very crucial and essential to daily life, I firmly believe that the responsibility for these social services should not fall solely on the country.