Well, ultimately, we all decide what our social obligations are, because we live in a democratic society.  We discuss, we persuade, we elect, we vote, and so on.  The conversation never really ends, and each new generation chooses again for itself where to draw the line.<p>But things, historically, have gone pretty good for everyone, the more the rich chip in, and pretty badly for almost everyone(though better for the rich, of course), the less they do.<p>Now, I get that a lot of people decide &quot;these are the principles I think are important, and damn the consequences,&quot; but I think that&#x27;s silly--if a principle I like ends up leading to a crummy society in one way or another (e.g. I don&#x27;t think pollution should be regulated, full stop, and suddenly everyone has shitty air quality), then I&#x27;m going to rethink that principle.  Others stick to their guns no matter what.