I hesitate to get involved in threads about economics, as I am the first to admit that I don't know a lot about it. Probably most people don't, yet these are the threads where posters are accused of all kinds of nastiness simply for disagreeing. I know that politics and economics (along with political philosophy) are intertwined, but sometimes people's views are far more visceral than theoretical when it comes to personal finances, as they are about security and often self-worth, too.
Accusations of 'not caring about the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer' for instance are hurtful (and I don't buy the 'just letting her have a chance to defend herself' line, I'm afraid 
) and some of the things said about GSM have been entirely unnecessary, too.
I think that most people want a more equal society, but disagree on how that can be achieved, largely based on our own experiences, which will differ. Not knowing (or not agreeing) that if X policy is put in place then Y will happen to Z group of people is not a crime. It can be a lack of knowledge/understanding, or just a different perspective.
I am no shrinking violet and I like a good debate, but like most people I don't like being shouted down or having sarky or unpleasant insinuations made about my motives. I will happily listen to explanations if I am not expected to take them as gospel, and on this topic I am actively willing to learn, as I recognise my own ignorance.
Basically, however, I think that life is not fair. Some people work hard for little reward, some work very little for high rewards, some can't work at all, and some just don't want to. Some are born with lucrative abilities and others are more challenged. Some have wealthy and supportive parents and others don't, and so it goes on.
Those with money want to keep it, which is understandable, just as those who don't want to have more, and that's understandable too. If I have a fridge full of food and someone hungry asks for a meal I will happily cook them dinner and they'd be welcome to bring their friends, but if I am down to my last block of cheese and loaf of bread I will feed my family first, and hope that they would do the same for me.
As Economics is basically about taking from one group and giving to another, much depends on whether, as individuals, our fridges are full or empty. We can all be generous if we have enough to share, but get more protective of our own when we have less, or can see penury on the horizon. Speaking purely for myself, I fear poverty, and have done as much as I can to protect myself from it whist still working to live, rather than living to work. I am far from being rich, however, so I resent the idea that it is 'fair' that what savings I do have (which are all from earned income) have should be taken away by making me pay for things that those who don't have savings will get free. That is a race to the bottom, and I would hit the bottom long before someone with an inheritance or other cushions would do. I fully appreciate that there are many people with less than I have, however, who have had no chance to save. I would very much like to make the 'playing field' more level for everyone, but I also resent having to pay for those who expect to get everything given and 'choose' not to work. My feelings are just that - feelings - based on my own upbringing and particular life experiences, not on Economics textbooks, just as others' feelings will be based on theirs. That doesn't make anyone right or wrong. They are just different points of view.
