Let's talk about fairness.  A lot of people are harping about how unfair the economic or health care or political or any number of other systems are in this country.  Well yeah.  Anything that isn't available in perpetuity and in infinite quantities is going to be rationed in some way, and that way will seem unfair to someone no matter how it's done. 

The question isn't whether there will be "winners" and "losers," it's how are they picked.  Does the system reward productive or unproductive behavior?  Does it enforce "playground rules": Don't hit, don't lie, don't steal?  Does it result in the most good for the most people while protecting the basic rights of all?

Unfairness is literally bred into any system as people are born with different talents, strengths, weaknesses, ambitions and so on.  I think it's grossly unfair that I wasn't born with a fish finder in my forehead, but the browns on the Madison seem ok with it.  And it's made me a better fisherman, although still not a good one sadly.

And that's just it, isn't it?  What seems unfair to me seems plenty fair to the fish.  When we look at what's fair or unfair we have to look at both the winners and the losers.  Is it fair that a company goes bankrupt?  Of course not.  But is it fair to force others who worked hard and made smart (or even lucky) decisions to pay for that company's mistakes?  I'd say no to that, too.

What's fair about confiscating the fruits of one's labor?  Of denying parents the opportunity to pass on their savings - which is just deferred gratification - to anyone they choose?  What's fair about removing a person's choices in health care, living accommodations, transportation, property use?  When we look at fairness we have to look at both the "winners" and the "losers" and the process that gets them there, not just the outcomes. 

It's become almost cliche to say that our system was founded on the desire for equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome.  An important part of that is allowing people to enjoy the results of their work, talents, luck, ambitions, and anything else that goes into their success so long as they play by the rules.  Otherwise why would they play at all? 

Shared mediocrity is not what made this country great or what will propel it back to where it belongs.  There will always be winners and losers.  As a charitable nation we can and should help those who meet hard times or are incapable of taking care of themselves.  But if we eliminate the ability to win we will all lose equally.