Only the central govt gives stuff away for “free”.
IOW, it always costs something.
Even if government was all powerful enough to confiscate all wealth and the means to produce that which wealth can buy, theoretically giving the masses the ability to have or create anything it wants, it will still cost you.
It will cost you allegiance, conformance, right-thinking or any manner of capitulation, but it will be 'free'. So long as you are on your knees when you get the approval stamp to 'print' it.