That might be right, but do they need to be mutually exclusive? The policy on healthcare, education and minimum wages could be made while maintaining strong civ

That might be right, but do they need to be mutually exclusive? The policy on healthcare, education and minimum wages could be made while maintaining strong civil liberties (I think?). An interesting difference to highlight - the statement "government looks after us" is something many folks in the US would find strange. The US views government more "of the people, by the people, for the people" - ie the government is us governing ourselves.