The Modern Civilization

Living in a free democratic society, idealized but still, all its members benefit, one way or another, from the social infrastructure and the whole world at large. The thing is, the bicycles, in order to exist, need the whole industries and civilization to be in place, and are not made out of thin air, so, according to Nigel's logic, the cyclists would, therefor, have to pay for the maintenance of the roads, factories that produce them, traffic control, etc. it makes no sense. 

So, do we then also start charging people for breathing in order to maintain the air quality, obviously not. The user pays for a product, and/or the user fees, which contains portion of the seller's costs, who, in turn, pays the manufacturer portion of the production costs, who in turn pays the government for the rights, costs of manufacturing, and the access to the markets. The government is also regulating the industries, along with the merchants and the consumers, to make sure that the costs of their private interest activities are not unfairly downloaded on to the rest of the public without public's awareness and permission.

When it comes to the basics, the society comes together to provide for its essential needs. which nowadays includes the transportation, thus the public has its critical infrastructure in order for the society to be able to function, and thus to be able to accommodate the commerce driven private sector. 

The social programs are neither being paid for by the user fees, that can be used to pay a part of maintenance, the cost of these fees is associated with the cost of use by the users of the goods and services, nor by the taxation, but by the government, aka public, via either printing its own money, or by borrowing from the private banks, with interest, which is the current financial system, unfair as it is et al, however present nonetheless, with the taxes collected, granted too much from the workers and not enough from the capital gains of the corporations and the private sector, are used to pay the interests and principles on the loans made to pay for all social needs. People pay the user fees, where applicable, and taxes, based on their income, consumption, production, and whatever else . 

The role of the government is to make sure that the basic critical infrastructure exists and the common human/social needs of the citizens are represented and satisfied first, because the government represents the public, the public interests, and common ownership of land and resources, and, second, to regulate the activities of the private sector, and individuals, so that the freedoms of one do not infringe on the freedoms of others. 

For example, if one decides to cut down an ancient growth forest in order to make the toothpicks for profit, thus being able to afford a gold toilet, the government may not permit it or would regulate it, so that it is sustainable and will not reflect negatively on the rest of the society. In a healthy society, that is not corrupted. Because if someone makes a profit, it does not necessarily translates into a common good.

the way modern civilization of the developed societies is organized makes little philosophical sense, and it is incidental in nature, partly planned and partly unplanned, sometimes working or not, however it is not rooted in deep humanity but rather fuelled by profits that benefit few at the expense of many past, present, and future generations, ecosystems, and the whole biosphere. 

While individually we can organize our affairs to the best of our abilities in our own lives and with those around us, some better than others at that, collectively it however becomes a challenge, since the bigger the group the more generic the information it can communicate and express becomes, thus the intelligent process of a large stadium crowd is reduced to noise, chants, and songs. Not only that,, the groups tend to fracture pass fifteen members causing schism and rivalry.

As the perception of one being at the centre of the universe within and without on the micro and macro scales in the symbiotic dichotomy embodying the whole existence from the distinct point of experience of it and creative contribution matures to a realization of being one and alone yet also, in dichotomy, connected to all, the whole universe. 

Naturally such enlightenment does not happen right away, as different ages and experiences offer their own lessons and joys in ways of discovering oneself, a life long journey in itself, and connecting with the others and the world external to our inner self, through close family and friends, at first, then neighbours, communities, schools, media, celebrities, shared interests, region, country, companies, old kingdoms, the whole human species, human rights, life on earth, the nature, the planet, the whole universe.

For most part, the tribal times are no longer, when one had little sense of individuality and personal freedom while specific role to play in the tribe competing for cut thought survival against the other tribes, and too amidst their own, as the animals do. The human dichotomy now has expanded to include on one hand, the individual freedom and self determination, and on another end of spectrum, encompass the whole of creation, with empathy and kindness to one another, forming peaceful collective collaboration for easier survival, protection of the most vulnerable members, resources, and near extinct species, thus enabling a better quality of life and growth of the civilization proper.

i am  i am, not US  vs THEM