equality

So perhaps my cranky self continues somewhat…  I will attempt to reflect more — rant less.  It’s just my opinion — semi-humble at that — but my sense is that while rants prompt more affirmation and amens, honest reflection spurs on dialogue and thus solution.  I’m afraid such may be why our elect often choose the ranting, as they are not always interested in dialogue; they too frequently seem only desiring to drive home the opinion they have privately and partisanly determined to be true.  The Intramuralist doesn’t have a lot of respect for that approach.

 

One area where this (yes, semi-humble) observer sees a ratcheting up in the rants is the issue of equality.  Follow me here.  We discussed this briefly in December, but with a need to divert the focus off of the current contempt for Obamacare, there is intent to find an issue that more soundly resonates with a plurality of voters.  There is need for the affirmation and amens.

 

And so we come to the word “equality.”  Great word!  As shared here previously, in recent decades, we’ve been attracted to ERA, Employment Equality, Marriage Equality, and the Equality Act.  The latest push (and the push which the Intramuralist believes to be ranted about even more in the months to come) is “income equality”… a fantastic idea!  Income equality is the proposed more even distribution of wealth among households in our economy.  Currently, the distribution is significantly uneven.  Some people have far more or less than others.  Isn’t it right for things to be equal?  Isn’t it fair?

 

Or wait… it’s not that all things have to be exactly equal, but certainly it should be closer.   Surely the gap between the rich and the poor is too much, and the rich among us could give away a little more.  It’s an easy argument.  Hence, it’s a fantastic idea.  Really.  But casting all emotion aside, we must recognize that it’s also a political ploy.  Bear with me, friends, for it’s a rant.

 

All men/women were created equal.  Truth.  We were each divinely endowed with certain unalienable rights.  Also true.  But let’s additionally acknowledge what is not true.  It’s not true that all men/women are as hard-working.  It’s not true that all men/women are as ambitious or entrepreneurial or are blessed with the same talents and gifts.  Don’t mistake me as being calloused.  I am not.  Without a doubt, many obtain their wealth via little effort of their own, as we are each born into certain circumstances.  Different circumstances come with different challenges.  And to those who have been given much, much is to be expected.  So again, in my only semi-humble opinion, a generous, philanthropic heart is at the top of the list of expectations for the wealthy.

 

So this fantastic idea… is it income equality?  Not from this perspective.  The fairness phrasing does not consider the entirety of the truths.  The fantastic idea here is to associate income with equality… to associate marriage with equality… to associate employment with equality.  You see my point.  Friends, I say such as one not suggesting that any of the above is unwise.  My point is simply that utilizing the words “fairness” and “equality” is an intentional tactic designed to persuade.  Who among us would not desire to be equal or fair?

 

“Equality” is a rhetorical term utilized to generate the affirmation and amens — not a word that prompts dialogue nor solution.  It’s actually a conversation killer, as there exists a strong inference within the word “equality” that those who do not support the issue do not believe all men/women were created equal… that our opponent somehow, actually, foolishly embraces discrimination.  Thus, audiences are emotionally moved, feeling now justified to join in the rant… as opposed to recognizing the inference is categorically unfounded.

 

A person can oppose an equality issue without being prejudiced or discriminatory.  On this supposed new push for “income equality,” for example, there are many economists who will openly opine that it’s impossible to “legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out.”

 

I’m done ranting, my friends.  The logical reflection will continue, no less… hopefully for us all.

 

Respectfully,

AR