Yet assistance to the nonsaver would force such a result. At the same time, most social insurance programs try to achieve some redistribution from those with greater lifetime ability to those with lesser lifetime ability. On the other hand, transfers are also being made, so not everyone is going to get back his own taxes. In many public debates, advocates will approach equity issues only from the standpoint of vertical equity or individual equity. Think tanks are set up to argue only for more progressive or more libertarian government.
Redistributional policy is viewed as being always good or always bad.
Such views reflect a lack of balance. The tension between the two equity principles is healthy. That government programs reflect ability and need is only natural, but, at the same time, there are true costs to restricting the freedom of individuals to act.