Comment by AdrianB1

This will be a very unpopular opinion, but it is true: USA is much better than 200 years ago; if 200 years ago you were a slave, 100% of your output belonged to your master. Now your government owns only 40-50% of your output and you feel totally free. The only bad thing is that almost 100% of the population is now a half-slave. You don't chose what to pay, how much and what for, you just have to pay up, or else. Yes, you get some services, whatever the governments wants to, same as slaves got shelter and food, as much as the master wanted to. I see some similarities, tell me they don't exist.