Bush = Hitler?

So some psychological researchers have gotten together out at UC Berkeley and have come up with a study that links Hitler, Mussolini, Bush and Rush Limbaugh.

Now as soon as I saw whom the authors were trying to link, I dismissed the study as hopelessly flawed through bias. But as someone who collects books on wrecks, I couldn't pass up reading more of this intellectual train wreck.

So I kept reading and most of the study seems to be just the usual political rhetoric of the "liberals" (except for when they tried to label Stalin and Castro as conservative also - that's different). You know the drill, conservatives don't think, they're aggressive, they see things in black and white, etc.

And then came the usual "they're intolerant" argument.

A current example of conservatives' tendency to accept inequality, he said, can be seen in their policy positions toward "disadvantaged minorities" such as gays and lesbians.

Tendency to accept inequality.

Powerful statement. It's also true to a large extent. But why are conservatives so willing to accept inequality?

Inequality is personal opportunity. Inequality is individualism. Our nation was founded on the idea of equality of opportunity, not equality of man or outcome.

One of the great tensions of American society is that in order for everyone to be equal, we must be unequal. If everyone had the exact same outcome in life our great nation would cease to exist. Why do people come to the United States? Is it because we have a great welfare system (ok some do, but I'm not talking about them!)? Or do they come here because there is an opportunity to go as far as your ambition and willingness to work and learn will take you?

If twenty Cubans come over on a boat, it isn't so that they can all live in the same housing project in South Florida. It's because they want an opportunity to try to make something of their life. And they understand that of the twenty, some will make millions, some will struggle, but it will always be due to their own effort (or lack thereof).

Inequality is not bad. Not in the least. Discrimination is, but the two words are not synonyms. And to use them interchangeably, as the authors have done here, is to be intellectually dishonest and to cheapen the English language.

There are some things that could be a bit better in my life right now. But no matter, I still don't want to see enforced equality. Give me some more of that inequality. Overcoming obstacles can only make me stronger.