"If you don't have to worry about Health Care, because its covered,

[freedom fighter jh]

19. Proceed with caution

I believe our society as a whole, and many of its young adult members, would be better off with higher ed paid for by the government. But this would mean more taxes paid, and that could be a real burden on folks who are barely making it as it is. It could mean the difference between eating decently and not. The solution would be to make sure that any increased government spending goes hand in hand with tax code provisions that ensure that the poor aren't giving up essentials.

I believe health care (an example you did not give) should be single payer. But still I see moral issues with that. There are people who believe abortion really means the taking of a life; knowing their taxes fund abortion might make them feel the way I feel about my taxes supporting war. I don't know the solution; I know only that health care is priced out of reach for too many people and countries with single payer seem to do much better.

Paid maternity leave could, for a child beyond the second, translate to support for population growth. Some folks believe passionately that the planet is overpopulated and that overpopulation will mean the demise of the human race. Those people won't feel great about supporting folks bringing more babies into the world.

There is a grain of truth in the right wing mantra that too much government limits freedom. The debate, of course, is about how much is too much. How much is the right amount can be stretched so that we can get the benefits of sharing, as long as every decision is made with careful thought about unintended consequences, especially about cutting into anyone's rights. I believe socialism (which is what these proposals -- and Bernie -- are about, after all) can be a good thing, but it must be done with a great deal of caution and respect for the rights of others.