The Myth Of Equality
By William Bailey (06/27/03)
The Declaration of Independence (a document for which I have great respect and dedication) opens with these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I would submit, for your consideration, that somewhere along the way, the emphasis has gotten placed on the wrong words in that revered document.
Somewhere during the development of this nation, the emphasis has been placed on the words “created equal” and, in my opinion, the misplacing of this emphasis has caused great damage to this experiment in freedom and liberty. This “misplacement” has resulted in much divisiveness in our beloved “United” States of America.
I would submit, again for your consideration, that the words on which the emphasis should be placed are, “pursuit of happiness”. And, there are no guarantees, here or elsewhere, of the results. This is due to the fact that the outcome is based on how each of us, individually, elects to go about accomplishing a desired goal.
Now—before I go any further, please understand that this is NOT about race. It’s about equality.
To apply the general definition that many seem to want to apply would mean that the “starting line” becomes the “finishing line”. And, if this be true, then we would all just stay at the “starting line” because we would know the outcome. There would be no need nor requirement for establishing, much less pursuing, a goal. How can anyone, applying either logic or common sense come to the conclusion that we are all “created”:
* with an equal musical ability of a Johann Sebastian Bach or Pavarotti;
* with an equal scientific genius of an Albert Einstein;
* with an equal insight and vision of the Founding Fathers;
* with an equal athletic ability of a Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods;
* with an equal strategic military capability of an Alexander the Great, or
a George S. Patton;
* with an equal artistic ability of a Michaelangelo;
* with an equal material wealth of a Rockefeller or an Astor.
Don’t you see----it’s just not possible. The pieces don’t fit. It won’t work. There are no guarantees for success. The only guarantee comes in saying that if one sets a goal then, using their individual talents and abilities in pursuing that goal, the possibility of accomplishing that goal is enhanced. But, repeating, there are NO guarantees of success. And, in this connection, this needs to be said—hard as some may try, there is NO way that legislation can create equality nor guarantee success in any endeavor. The outcome is not known until you get there.
The only guarantee, about which I am aware, in either the Declaration of Independence or The Constitution of the United States is that if I work hard, use the talents and abilities I was given, abide by the law, and am fair in my dealing with others, then the environment is there that gives me a reasonable chance and opportunity for achieving my goal and objective and to be successful. But, it is NOT guaranteed.
As someone has said, “you can’t make the small man tall by cutting off the legs of the giant”. But, in the good-intentioned, oft mis-guided effort to make everyone equal, you end up with a result that’s not desired . . . bringing everyone to the lowest common denominator . . . not the highest. Is that what we want ? Do we really want to remove the incentive of achievement and success by implementing a philosophy and an attitude that says, “you don’t even have to try, everybody is equal” ? I don’t think so. I don’t think that’s one of the “cornerstone bricks” on which this nation was built.
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