Regarding my statement, I left out punctuation or a coma, I don't mean a society free OF capitalism. I'm a capitalist. It should have read: " a free Capitalist society".

My view is that having some things, some of the time, that benefit all people, much in the way a fire department does or public parks, is not at odds with a culture that embraces individual success, freedom and the right of choice ( interesting term there though, eh?).

As to my fellow poster in Middletown, I watched the clip, it hasn't changed my mind. I still like the music analogy. And while you're right with respect to the voluntary aspect, the case of fire departments is not so. Most of us won't call the fire department in our lives. I don't think I ever have and I'm 56. It is nice to know they're there. They'll put out my fire. or yours. or my neighbors or the car across the street. And while it's true that not all fire departments are paid for by municipal taxes, many are. Just like public schools. I like public schools. I also support private schools.
I don't find it idealistic nor embracing big government or "more laws" to take into consideration the best interests of a society. I agree that over reaching of government ( attitudes towards same sex marriage, etc) can be a very dangerous path. So in many ways we agree. I just don't come to the conclusion that it means that there's never a role for government.

SO in the end it comes down to what we as individuals think we "need" or "should have", in the best interests of protecting individual rights, freedoms and the protection or our society. We'd probably agree that we do need a national defense, but don't need to invade and occupy nations for the wrong reasons.
We probably agree that some laws were pretty good. Like ending slavery and allowing women to vote. To de-segregate the armed services and so on.

Again, like social security and the previously mentioned pivotal moments in American history they were all met with great opposition, fear and claims of how it will undo the fabric of our nation. Google back during the days of sufferage, the debates in congress from southern states on slavery.
I agree with Wappingers with respect to getting it right from the start, it's not that easy as we can see. That's why amendments are permitted. And sometimes we just don't get it right from the start. But in my view there must be a start and health care reform for the reasons I've mentioned in previous posts , is essential in my view to improving the economy, keeping us secure, and having a successful, CAPITALIST, caring nation.
Individualism shines best in the context of a collective. Think of family, sports, music, the United States of America being formed, etc.
I guess it's how we look at it.

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