Sowell: The 'Fairness' Fraud

Creators Syndicate ^ | February 25, 2014 | Thomas Sowell

[jazusamo]

It seems as if, everywhere you turn these days, there are studies claiming to show that America has lost its upward mobility for people born in the lower socioeconomic levels. But there is a sharp difference between upward "mobility," defined as an opportunity to rise, and mobility defined as actually having risen.

That distinction is seldom even mentioned in most of the studies. It is as if everybody is chomping at the bit to get ahead, and the ones that don't rise have been stopped by "barriers" created by "society."

When statistics show that sons of high school dropouts don't become doctors or scientists nearly as often as the sons of Ph.D.s, that is taken as a sign that American society is not "fair."

If equal probabilities of achieving some goal is your definition of fairness, then we should all get together — people of every race, color, creed, national origin, political ideology and sexual preference — and stipulate that life has never been fair, anywhere or any time in all the millennia of recorded history.

Then we can begin at last to talk sense.

I know that I never had an equal chance to become a great ballet dancer like Rudolph Nureyev. The thought of becoming a ballet dancer never once crossed my mind in all the years when I was growing up in Harlem. I suspect that the same thought never crossed the minds of most of the guys growing up on New York's lower east side.

Does that mean that there were unfair barriers keeping us from following in the footsteps of Rudolph Nureyev?

[unlearner]

I think you need to read what I said more carefully. I said “maybe” this might happen. I don’t see why you twisted that into me claiming that God gave me the ability to see the future.

My point is the opposite of what you made it out to be. The GOP told us we need to go moderate in order to win, but that did not work with McCain or Romney. If either had won then maybe the GOP would have a stronger argument for moderation and pragmatism, especially if McCain or Romney had won and then governed conservatively.

No, I think Palin or Cruz have a BETTER chance of winning the general election than a milquetoast moderate. So I certainly see no advantage in watering down the conservative message for the third (or more) time in a row.

My point was that running moderates has proven to be a consistently losing strategy. Running a solid conservative like Palin or Cruz is not guaranteed to win, but that is the ONLY route worth taking this side of war. The GOP-E needs to move right or get out. Conservatives are tired of compromising with evil.

[Sivad]

Yah. Some of those you guys describe as GOP-e are really GOP-cs.
These chickenshits are looking for a leader and they just might
support someone like Cruz if he learns to play his cards right.
Among other things that means taking on the media and taking
his case directly to the masses ala a man named Reagan.
Some of what Sowell says should be taken to heart by Cruz as
cautionary advice while other things may be ignored. If 100%
of Freeperworld were solidly behind Cruz that still wouldn’t get
him elected to anything. He needs to expand his audience.

And, this talk of a GOP civil war is ridiculous. You don’t fight
the other guys, you absorb them. Then you take on the
liberal shitheads.

[SoConPubbie]

GOP-E this and GOP-E that.

Just another version of the left-wing label of "purists" applied to Tea-Party members.

[SoConPubbie]

I think you need to read what I said more carefully. I said “maybe” this might happen. I don’t see why you twisted that into me claiming that God gave me the ability to see the future.

Two points:

1. Yea, I do need to be more careful in my reading.
2. Don't give the other side ammunition of any sort. Both the GOP-E and the Left are already doing all they can to destroy the Tea-Party, don't give them even the smallest bit of help, even by accident.

[RipSawyer]

I was upwardly mobile until I quit growing at six four. I have noticed that most NBA players are taller than I am and I think I am being discriminated against, they should not be allowed to grow taller than I am.

[Paladin2]

I, for one, never though of becoming a Cruz basher.

Does that mean society is limiting my ability to grow into a highly successful TEA Party basher?

[rdb3]

I say.... IT’s ABOUT TIME.. YES; shoot the complicit.

You'd get no argument from me on that, hosepipe!

And take out the shame of my home State, Crybaby Boehner. He's an embarrassment.

Jesus Christ: You can’t impeach Him and He ain’t going to resign.

[hosepipe]

And, this talk of a GOP civil war is ridiculous. You don’t fight
the other guys, you absorb them. Then you take on the
liberal shitheads.

---

The liberals have absorbed the republicans.. OR havn’t you been watching..
Some........ see what they WANT to see.. “drop the bong”..

UNLESS.... the voting mechanisms have been compromised..
You know... vote one way the machines register the opposite..

Would explain conservatives selecting Myth Romney a known democrat compromiser(2012) ..
INSTEAD of a whole range of actual conservatives.. REJECTED..

[Graewoulf]

” - - - At least Sowell took a break from bashing Ted Cruz to write this article. - - - “

I agree.

A great mind such as his should not be wasted on the insane defense of Republicans In Name Only who genetically hate those who Conserve.

[Sivad]

If you believe that the liberals have absorbed the Republcans then
you have already surrendered every bit as much as you claim
the GOP has so why would you bother? Did you note my assertion
that some of the GOP lite types are looking for GOP leadership
which could be provided by someone like Cruz? But throwing
red meat to his fans alone won’t get him past Senator Cruz.

As far as voting machines go I suspect widespread voter fraud
from the Dems. Other than that I have no idea what you are
talking about.

[hosepipe]

True you dont know, probably dont want to know..
I’m not happy about “knowing” myself..

Voter fraud goes way beyond union mischief..
and really it’s been happening for decades..

I wish it was so simple as patroits are just not organized well..
Or they just want the perfect candidate.. it’s NOT..
Or it’s just bickering and infighting.. It’s not that either.. (ex: 2010)

I propose even republican primarys are compromised...
ONLY the “right” republican can even GET elected.. (in most places)..
(except for a few in certain few precincts).. (like Cruzs)..

And most repubicans(I know) dont know or care their vote does not count.. or even believe it..
It’s like an optimistic delusion... rose colored glasses with blind spots..

Brilliant really that the democrats pulled this off..
Cloward-Piven is working like clock-work...
False flag terrorism is being planned(no doubt) just in case (a lot of) republicans wake up..

Martial Law will follow quickly after that..
It’s not new either the commies have made a virtual Art of insurrection... since 1917..
Their very very good at it...

A few communist KGB agents have come over (to our side) and layed this all out.. (these plans)...
BUT, alas, few even cared or did anything about it..
It’s no secret..