You see, the reason we have differing beliefs is because we have differing values. Yes, I can honestly say that I value freedom above anything else. Above even life. Other people take the stance that life is the most important thing there is, and that it is worth certain sacrifices to preserve that.

That is a perfectly reasonable and understandable viewpoint.

The problem I have is that I cannot opt out of it. Ideally, the world would be a whole spectrum of economic and social methods, say America would be completely anarcho-communist, whilst perhaps France would be anarcho-socialist, whereas Britain maintains a mix of free marketeering and social measures.

The ultimate destination, in the future, hopefully holds closer to your idea than to mine. If we can develop a system where everybody is provided for WITHOUT the need for anybody to put effort in, then MI fully support a system of free distribution and whatnot. (See Iain M. Banks' novels regarding the Culture for a near-perfect example of it.) But for now, while effort is required, I cannot in good conscience commit to a system which forces that effort from people - even if that means others suffer. (The exception is when it comes to children and teenagers - there should be a 'base level' which is provided to all, no matter what circumstances you are born and raised in, otherwise my concept of equality is a sham.)