Most society currently greatly overemphasizes the collective/cooperative, and largely ignores the value of the individual/competitive aspect. Both are important and necessary components of a healthy society.
(Thanks for replying to him. I wasn't going to feed the troll).
A lot of the problem is that many in modern society mistake cooperation with getting a bunch of government goons to force your opinions on others. I'm all for cooperation and voluntary collective action.
Though even from a purely utilitarian standpoint, government is both hugely wasteful and really doesn't "care". At least with voluntary support, if you find this to be the case, you can switch to an alternative.
Couldn't agree more. The paper I linked in my original reply really is worth reading, btw, if you haven't seen it before. Isaiah Berlin was a brilliant man.