In Belgium, if you have studied engineering at university for 5 years, you get a pay not that much higher than those who immediately start working without university, at least in technical/programming jobs. It's, after taxes are removed, not that much higher than the minimum wage in fact. Except that you have had 5 years less of pay due to the studying. You also pay 60% income taxes, when taking everything into account. And where does it go to? Definitely nothing that benefits the people who actually work. Definitely not roads and other public infrastructure, because when driving from another country into Belgium you immediately notice the difference in road quality and trains are unreliable. If those who want to work, those who study to work more complex jobs, do not get appreciated, while not working gives you benefits, and in some cities they have a "tolerance policy" for criminals, then tell me how that isn't socialist. Quality of schools is dropping, because there is more equality if the curriculum is lowered. They still call Flanders a "knowledge economy". I think they're not seeing something.