Fairness

In listening to the Vice-Presidential debate I heard the word "fairness" used in explaining why money should be taken from the rich and given to the poor. Unfortunately "fairness" depends on perspective. If one person spends his youth studying and another spends it on something that doesn't help him or her career wise, what is fair about rewarding someone for their poor choice(s)? I think we can all agree that it isn't fair if a person, through no fault of their own, doesn't have an opportunity for a meaningful education. We can also agree that it isn't fair if a person, through no fault of their own, doesn't have an opportunity for a life sustaining job. But can we agree that if a person doesn't avail himself of the opportunities to educate themselves and work at a life sustaining job, they aren't entitled to have anything other than their basic needs met by Society at the expense of those who have worked hard at taking advantage of educational and job opportunities? Now that would be nice.