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I have been thinking about equality. I think it’s a very laudable goal and one well worth working towards. The problem I see is many people are insisting on “equality of outcomes.” I wasn’t quite sure what they meant by that term. It appears that most if not all of those advocating for “equality of outcomes” do not understand the impossibility of that term. Let me start with the ridiculous example. As most of you know, I am disabled because of military service. Let’s say I wanted to become an Olympic gymnast. I should be given an equal chance as anyone else who wants to become an Olympic gymnast. In other words, I should be an equal opportunity to pursue that goal. However, since various parts of my body no longer function normally I would never be able to achieve the goal of being an Olympic gymnast. Logically, there could never be an “equality of outcomes” if I chose that goal.

I know those who advocate for “equality of outcomes” will ask for a more reasonable example. I can’t blame them. How about an example that is more about getting an education and far less on physical ability. How about becoming an accountant, a CPA? By the way, it’s not a goal I would pursue. I took enough accounting courses in college to know I want nothing to do with that field as an occupation. The CPA exam is broken down into four parts. You can take the parts in any order you want and you have 18 months from the time you start to take all four exams. They are difficult exams and that’s what makes being a CPA valuable. From the figures I could find online, only just a little over 50% of those taking the exams past them to get their CPA. Should we insist on “equality of outcomes” for anyone starting in college with the aim of becoming a CPA be guaranteed they will achieve that goal? I don’t think you would agree. As laudable as “equality of outcomes” would seem to be, it’s simply not possible for all sorts of reasons. On the other hand, we must insist on “equality of opportunity.” If you want to pursue some goal, you should always have the right to do that. I think some have confused “equality of outcomes” and “equality of opportunity.” It’s only leading to debates that do not advance our society and only further polarize it. Please don’t let it happen.