Choice Quote by Mark Steyn
![“Somewhere along the way these countries [EU] redefined the relationship between government and citizen into something closer to pusher and addict. And, once you've done that, it's very hard to persuade the addict to cut back his habit. Thus, the general acceptance everywhere but America is that…” quote by Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/557/mark-steyn-1844_habits_somewhere-along-the-way-these-countries_663430.jpg)
““Somewhere along the way these countries [EU] redefined the relationship between government and citizen into something closer to pusher and addict. And, once you've done that, it's very hard to persuade the addict to cut back his habit. Thus, the general acceptance everywhere but America is that the state should run your health care. A citizen of an advanced democracy expects to be able to choose from dozens of breakfast cereals, hundreds of movies at the video store, and millions of porno sites on the Internet, but when it comes to life-or-death decisions about his own body he's happy to have the choice taken out of his hands and given to the government.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public commentary on EU health policy, 2015
The author argues that many democracies have shifted from personal responsibility to state control in health, making citizens comfortable relinquishing critical health decisions to government.
In simple terms: People often accept government control over health while demanding choice elsewhere.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the trade‑off between freedom and state‑provided care.
Themes
government
healthcare
individualism
democracy
choice
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
political
philosophical
commentary
When to use this quote
- health insurance debates
- public health crises
- personal medical decisions
- policy reform discussions
Key Concepts
welfare state
personal autonomy
policy dependency
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you trust the government more than your own judgment on health?
- How does this view compare with your country's health system?
A Different Perspective
The argument may overlook cultural differences and the benefits of universal coverage.
