I pay taxes knowing that I won't benefit directly from many of my country's programs. New train lines? I drive. Free health care? I'm healthy. Free school lunches? I'm not a child and I don't have children. Social housing? I own my apartment.

But the thing is, I benefit directly. It means that everyone around me has a reasonable standard of living. I'm surrounded by healthy, literate people with clean clothes and full bellies. That pushes my standard of living up. I'm happy to be taxed.