I'm certainly not suggesting that everyone has to be equal. I think there are certain intrinsic benefits in everyone having a more or less equal opportunity for success though. The obvious one is that a real meritocracy would more productive and advanced. Having the most demanding, important roles in society filled by the people most capable of fulfilling them is clearly in the collective society's interests. But more than that, I think equalizing opportunity gets rid of a lot of the resentment in society. If you've succeeded, you can find extra fulfillment from the fact that you've truly earned that success. If you've failed you have nobody to blame but yourself, and this realization leads to more productive self-reflection instead of pointless blaming and frustration.
There "always has been" murder, rape, slavery, starvation, disease, child abuse... Live your life by The Golden Rule, and you'll find the daily dividends are incredible.
I believe in Free Will. I choose to give to specific charities with both time and money, but I don't begrudge the person who doesn't.
