At the risk of grossly generalizing, it's interesting to contrast the French and Silicon Valley cultures -- the pursuit of wealth versus benefit to society. SV invented the hipster capitalist, he wants to get rich but pretends to really want to change the world. OTOH the French are proud of their social institutions like education and health, but hate paying for it all.

Canada seems to be on a middle ground (ignoring the present administration). We complain about taxes too, but even the most conservative like our universal healthcare. It's a trade-off.