Equality?

[DuncanONeil]

Originally Posted by steelish View Post
One of the things Obama wants to do is "spread the wealth", which, in my eyes, equates to equality of the economic classes.

Is such a thing possible?

Yes I think it is possible. On a small scale, Ive seen the concept succeed in the form of co-ops and communes. However I do not think such a change is likely to "materialize" on a national level anytime soon. Ridding ourselves of the concept of social or economic classes would be a fantastic occurrence for our species. However the changes in thought process' required would be numerous, drastic, and highly contested, after all, many are not ready to give up on the logical fallacy that "he who dies with the most toys wins."

I don't think it truly an issue of "who dies with the most toys wins". I think what the vast majority wants is to do better than their parents. I make more money than they ever did, but I am not so convinced I am a lot better off.

As for the Co-ops and communes. Did not somebody try that already? How well did that work out?

How can a nation of so many people, who are spread across such a large country and are so diverse (by diverse I mean in education, skill sets, etc.) ever be "equal"?

Equal in the same sense as 1 = 1? true equality?
I would say that only occurs two times in each of our lives. The moment of birth and the moment of death. Equality between those two moments is highly subjective.

Your thoughts/opinions????

It seems clear to me that there is no equality in the material sense between we humans. I disagree that we even all have equal opportunity, or are equaly protected and represented in our legal system.
It sounds nice. It looks good on paper, but is not what i witness happening.
Does that not depend on the definition of opportunity? The fact of high school graduation rates may give the appearance of supporting the position you state. But did not every Freshman that entered high school have the same "opportunity" to graduate?

Regarding sharing of material assets; I do hope the time comes where we can "share" what resources are available so that all humans have food, shelter and medical care. That we can fashion modalities so that as everyone benefits, so also does everyone contribute, similar to a co-op or commune, or tribal system.
Like "Star Trek"?

The Human Tribe.

Because my brothers and sisters, on a far larger scale, we are not only equal, but connected, one and the same. Einstein, Buddha, Jesus and many, many others have said (using different words) that we are all interconnected, everything, everyone.

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." ~ Albert Einstein

Yes it will be a glorious time when we interact with ourselves compassionately instead of selfishly.


Respectfully,
TS

[TantricSoul]

Does that not depend on the definition of opportunity?

Well here is one definition: From online Merriam Webster Dictionary
Main Entry: op·por·tu·ni·ty
Pronunciation: \ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē, -ˈtyü-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural op·por·tu·ni·ties
Date: 14th century

1 : a favorable juncture of circumstances <the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment>
2 : a good chance for advancement or progress

The fact of high school graduation rates may give the appearance of supporting the position you state. But did not every Freshman that entered high school have the same "opportunity" to graduate?
Based on the above definition, and what I was asserting prior, I would still have to say no, every freshman does not have the same opportunity to graduate.

Like "Star Trek"?

Well not exactly like "Star Trek," , on the other hand, maybe ... if the Klingons and Romulans were part of the "Federation" too...

Respectfully,
TS

[DuncanONeil]

View Post

Does that not depend on the definition of opportunity?

Well here is one definition: From online Merriam Webster Dictionary
Main Entry: op·por·tu·ni·ty
Pronunciation: \ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē, -ˈtyü-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural op·por·tu·ni·ties
Date: 14th century

1 : a favorable juncture of circumstances <the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment>
2 : a good chance for advancement or progress

The fact of high school graduation rates may give the appearance of supporting the position you state. But did not every Freshman that entered high school have the same "opportunity" to graduate?
Based on the above definition, and what I was asserting prior, I would still have to say no, every freshman does not have the same opportunity to graduate.

Like "Star Trek"?

Well not exactly like "Star Trek," , on the other hand, maybe ... if the Klingons and Romulans were part of the "Federation" too...Respectfully,
TS

Explain to me how every freshman does not have an equal opportunity to graduate?
Neither the Klingons, well they did change their mind, nor the Romulans desired to be in the Federation. I never saw any Klingon put money up for anything. And we did not spend much time in their society either.
The only "greedy" people I saw in the Star trek universe were the Ferengi. They also did not support universal suffrage!