What is social justice?

My good friend Ben writes of the healthcare debate: "I wish the Republicans would worry more about social justice and the Democrats more about cost". I heartily agree. But the fundamental question is what is social justice? Take Medicare: it attempted to provide 'social justice' by giving seniors heavily subsidized health insurance regardless of their wealth. The results have been anything but 'just'.

First, the subsidies are taken from younger, often less wealthy workers, with the heaviest percentage burden falling on the lowest earners. Not just.

Second, the program is established in a manner that has provoked a roaring healthcare inflation. So Medicare forces all other Americans to pay far more for their healthcare while the Seniors are insulated by subsidies. Not just.

Third, the program is growing uncontrollably and is technically bankrupt. This means that fewer dollars are available for all other legitimate public needs (not just), and that workers paying into the system today will not receive the benefits to which they are entitled (not just).

To achieve social justice one must do more than talk about it. One must devise programs that are affordable, that work over the long run and that don't rob Peter to pay Paul. Medicare fails on all accounts, as do most entitlement programs.