Letter: No such thing as 'free' things, the money must come from somewhere

"Free" — in regards to health care, housing or food — is such an interesting idea. The thought that having basics without cost sounds tempting to anyone who is struggling, but where does that "free" thing come from?

If we are talking about health care, it seems especially inviting. Consider, however, the cost that the doctor put into his education in time, energy and actual money. Ask him to give that away for free, and he becomes an unpaid servant to those he is treating.

His investment gains him nothing.

But we can get the costs paid by the government or someone else, some would answer. Who is the government but other people who pay taxes, or that someone who gives donations to charity.

Having the state or other government agencies pay for things can easily and directly be equated to having your neighbor pay for your things. We pay with money in our current system, either from our own accounts or from the accounts of others.

Things — some of them even important and necessary — do not come free, even if we would like them to.

Cindy Sorensen

Provo