He Who Defines Wins: American Equality

Equality has been one of the greatest achievements of the American system. Starting from the Declaration of Independence, America has made equality its goal. Tocqueville even points out that Americans are zealous for equality. But what is this equality all about? What are we really talking about when we proclaim equality for all?

There are two aspects that encompass what Americans mean by equality. The first is equality before the law. No matter who one is, how much one owns, or social status one can not bypass the law. The king is not above the law. He along with his subjects must answer to the law. It is with this understanding, the law as an equalizer that Americans have begun to make specific the abstract.

The second aspect is opportunity. Americans believe that individuals should have the ability to compete for…fill in the blank. One should have the opportunity to find and hold a job, to purchase and own a home, to gain promotions, etc. Notice however, that this is a competition. Equality of opportunity is not the same as equality of position and wealth. This understanding of equality leaves no room for guaranteed positions. One is not guaranteed a job, a home, nor a car. There is always the potential for these things. They are not going to be handed out, but are there for the taking.

While Americans have made great strides in creating equality before the law and equal opportunity, they do accept a rough inequality. Americans, for the most part, do not believe in equal socioeconomic equality. Granted, when one gains an enormous amount of wealth and prominence, Americans become a bit jealous and say it isn’t fair. But they realize that they have just as much potential of becoming the next Trump or Gates.

When touting equality, Americans should be prepared to define. In this current world of abstract, it is important to know what one is promoting. It is within the context of law and opportunity that Americans traditionally understand equality.

Patrick Henry

This summer I have undertaken writing my senior thesis. It revolves around two things...The U.S. Constitution and Patrick Henry. The more I study how our system of government came to be, the more frustrated I get with history today. As I have studied and read through documents and books on the creation of the U.S. Constitution, I realize that Americans for the most part, myself included, have been either lied to or had the wool pulled over their eyes. The Constitution isn't some glorious document that everyone praised upon its completion. Instead it was argued against most vehemently by many leading men in the 13 states. The history of America needs to be protected. People need to know where they came from but not just that they need to know and learn from how their government got started and what the issues were regarding the establishment of this nation.

Personally, I have come to a new theory that the Constitution itself was one of the leading factors that led to our Civil War. The arguments brought up during the ratifying conventions are very similar to the arguments that precede the Civil War. It seems that history has been "altered" if you will. Why don't we know where we came from? Why do we just plunge blindly forward thinking we have everything right in this country? There are liberties we have lost and for what? What have we gained with the loss of our liberty?