![](https://m.stacker.news/141747)

"all this, mah man, and however many cowboy credits u need to get the job done!" 😈💸

*The regime is good because they're paying you? Sounds like the logic of pure evil.*

Citizenship of New Zealand is estimated to be worth over one million NZ dollars in terms of lifetime benefits accrued to a citizen. We havefree univarsal healthcare and reasonable free education up to university level.
For USA the lifetime benefits of citizenship may be much higher than NZ$1 million I suspect.
For Chinese people however  it is probably rising faster than for any citizens anywhere.
There are now more new millionaires Made in China everyday than anywhere else.

We are individuals but we exist in a context of nation states.

Please note @coffeebadger conjuring falsehoods is not a convincing or good faith argument or practice - I am not paid by any government in fact today I calculated the taxes I must pay this year and I feel a little queasy! It is more than I have ever paid before. But that is only because I have had a successful year and must pay my dues to those fellow citizens less fortunate. 

You can pay zero tax if you go to live in some countries like Congo, but that's up to you.
I suspect you will remain in the liberal western democracy domicile you currently occupy- in no small part because of the substantial benefits you enjoy due to your citizenship.

> Chinese people have considerably less freedom of choice and 'agency' to what most westerners might appear to have but most Chinese see the CCP as delivering continual gains in wealth and prosperity and so most accept that and go along with it out of self interest.

The regime is good because they're paying you? Sounds like the logic of pure evil.

coffeebadger

The nation state is nevertheless the primary driver and determinant of citizens wealth and security.

People are sheep and flock together to maximise their power projection, security and wealth.

Chinese people have considerably less freedom of choice and 'agency' to what most westerners might appear to have but most Chinese see the CCP as delivering continual gains in wealth and prosperity and so most accept that and go along with it out of self interest.

Stacker Saloon

saloon

The nation state is nevertheless the primary driver and determinant of citizens wealth and security.

People are sheep and flock together to maximise their power projection, security and wealth.

Chinese people have considerably less freedom of choice and 'agency' to what most westerners might appear to have but most Chinese see the CCP as delivering continual gains in wealth and prosperity and so most accept that and go along with it out of self interest.