[Poohbah]

If government operates solely on the ability of the individual to pay, then you have essentially voided the concept of "equality before the law" and replaced it with "if you're poor, you're screwed."

[sourcery]

If government operates solely on the ability of the individual to pay, then you have essentially voided the concept of "equality before the law" and replaced it with "if you're poor, you're screwed."

Firstly, the fact that you can't pay for something is not a violation of your rights, no matter the cost, and no matter the urgency of your need. Your needs are not a lien on the property of others. Period.

And I don't see how the current system ("if your not politically favored, you're screwed") is any improvement over a pay-for-what-you-get system. At least such a system is morally correct. I'll take that over politically correct every time.