I'm a few pages late.. but azorni tried using street lamps as an example of something you don't pay for...

That's incorrect. That's what Taxes are for. (at least here in the US)

A very, very, very, limited number of things are maintained and ran "free" of charge. Homeless shelters and the "soup kitchens" etc are provided at no cost to the homeless people.. but they still take money (usually our money) to run.

Even "Non-profit" organizations actually make a profit most of the time. Money has to come from *somewhere*.

So yes.. you are paying for the street lamp... and the street.. and the sidewalk.. and you're also paying for the cop. Unless it's a private road... in which case it's usually got a Toll Booth on it...