“Property is the fruit of labor-property is desirable – it is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich, shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence…”  – Abraham Lincoln (reply to the New York Workingmen’s Democratic Republican Association, Mar. 21, 1864)

Equality of opportunity does not equate to equality of outcome.  Diligence and hard work are required.  To believe otherwise is to believe in something quite false.  It is more than true to know that eventually other people’s money runs out.  It is also equally true that to work hard and then have it inequitably taken from you is the grossest injustice that a society can allow – not just to who has had this taken.  But also, in a sense, the taker has been dealt an injustice as well.  He or she might live high and above their real means for a time, but, when the money runs out?  What then?