Equality Does Not Mean Equal Outcomes

Declaration of Independence author, Thomas Jefferson 

One of the differences between the political left and right is in the definition of equality. One might wonder how there can be any differences? Who can be against equality for all people? Unless one is a bigot, racist, misogynist, or prejudiced in any other way - equality should be a no brainer. People should never be judged based on a difference that cannot be changed for physical or ideological reasons. In one of the greatest pieces of oratory I have ever heard:, the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, Dr. Martin Luther King said the following: 

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Character is all that really matters. Given equal abilities, equality means being blind to difference.  Race, religion, gender... none of that should matter. 

This is so basic… so fundamental to the ideals expressed by the founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence which in part says: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…’  

The founding fathers believed that all of mankind is endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights and thereby equal opportunity. 

Unfortunately equality is no longer universally defined that way. If you are on the political left, you do not look at equality as simply a matter of rights and opportunity. You look at equal outcome. To the left an the unequal outcome tat exists in this country is based on racism. Otherwise an equal outcome would be automatic statistically. The only way to fight racism then is to assure equal outcomes regardless of how we get there. 

This is not a new idea. It has been around since the 70s. That is how (through the courts) ‘Affirmative Action’ became the admission policy of many top universities. Black applicants were underrepresented. The belief was that was because of latent bigotry, a history of discrimination, and cultural factors that standardized college admissions tests did not account for -was responsible for the low number of black people attending top colleges and universities To right that perceived wrong quotas were implemented to assure proportional representation of black people in the student body. 

Ironically, Jews who had once been subjected to unfair quotas by the right limiting their entry into top universities are now being subjected to quotas from the left.

What the left apparently wants to now is apply ‘Affirmative Action’ in all areas of American life. The only thing that matters to the left is that all people end up equal. The equal opportunity that the founding fathers put into words in the Declaration of Independence is not longer considered equality by the left. It is now considered racism. 

I could not disagree more. It hurts those of us that work hard to get where we are to see others get a free pass. There is nothing equal about making sure we are all equal in outcome. 

Not everyone puts in the same effort. Not everyone has the same degree of intelligence. Not everyone is physically or mentally equal. Not everyone has the same temperament. Some of us have patience and some of us don't.  one of us will not be doctors or lawyers. Some of us are athletes or entertainers. Some of us are gifted craftsman and some are not. Some of us are ambitious and some of us are lazy. Some of us are of good character and some of us are not. 

Equalizing the outcome for us all is unfair and the furthest thing from equality. If the founding fathers were alive today, they would wonder what ever happened to the country they envisioned?! They must be rolling in their graves.