I am citing what it will cost to duplicate the German or Swedish system.  

I make no moral judgements or recommendations whatsoever about that.

What it will cost to duplicate those systems is not a political question; it is an economic question. 

Whether the taxpayers will support the cost with their tax dollars is the political question. 

 I don't see the 'progressives' rushing out and taxing everyone making over $8,652 per year or pushing for a 60-70% tax rate to duplicate the German system, either.