My theory is that Americans struggle with this topic because of the distinct lack of socialist (for lack of a better word) policies. If your society has a rigo

My theory is that Americans struggle with this topic because of the distinct lack of socialist (for lack of a better word) policies. If your society has a rigorous social safety net that essentially prevents homelessness and deep poverty, you can still have meritocracy in how the upper-middle class income is distributed, and still retain a good conscience. If you have to pass rows upon rows of homeless people on the way to your six-figure-salary job, you need to either get rid of you conscience on behalf of those people, or be deeply critical of the system.