I’m trying to look at this form the perspective of a religious conservative (presumably Christian, though I don’t know). “Only help others if you think they deserve it” is rather obviously not a precept that’s the basis of Christian charity. That is in fact why the OP says (quite despicably, in my view) that there is a conflict between justice and mercy in this case.
> how would charity help resolve the issue of you dumping the cost on others
OP objected to others being forced to pay. Charity is voluntary.
> Or at least they should go to the back of the line
What would this even mean in the case of the US. About 35% of adults are obese, and in almost all instances that’s due to their behavioral choices. Do we send a third of the population “to the back of the line”, or refuse to pay for their medical treatment?
> how would charity help resolve the issue of you dumping the cost on others
OP objected to others being forced to pay. Charity is voluntary.
> Or at least they should go to the back of the line
What would this even mean in the case of the US. About 35% of adults are obese, and in almost all instances that’s due to their behavioral choices. Do we send a third of the population “to the back of the line”, or refuse to pay for their medical treatment?