> Oh absolutely. This is the way to make a more fair and balanced society.

I understand its purpose, but it does restrict freedom. Personally I am much more a fan of charity because its voluntary nature preserves freedom, but I accept the duality of freedom is the potential for lousy initial conditions in life.

> We don't believe in unrestricted free-market capitalism anyway.

I think we should strive to push society to freer markets. Neither leading party seems to have interest, however.

As a socialist I don't think all markets should be free. Only the ones that aren't necessary for living. Energy, healthcare, public transport, even telecoms should be in government hands (as they all were in Holland in the 80s)