Sure, someone always has to pay the bill. Taxes in New Zealand aren't massive or crippling, they are only moderately higher than the US. Think of how much more it costs to not have a skilled labour force. South Korea also has subsidized education, I live in South Korea and I pay 3.5% tax (that's everything, I have nothing to pay but 3.5% income tax). The education system here is not great and there are issues with it but over 97% attain a high school certificate and almost everyone under 30 has done at least one year post-secondary education.

Here is a question: how much does it cost the US, as a democracy, to not help everyone with the capacity to learn get an education? At the moment education levels in the US are often offset by immigration (immigrants with degrees and immigrants forcing their kids to study hard for at least the first generation). Accessible education is important to ensure an advanced society, innovation and healthy governance.

I pay 33% tax. Ill confess to being jealous of your 3.5%! However I support state subsidised education and the various other state funded systems we have (health for one) but yes, they do cost. It isn't someone else's money though, it's mine.