On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:08:45 -0700, -rick- wrote:

I don't think that's accurate. I'm fairly left leaning due
to the historically pitiful performance of the right and I
just want fair/honest ground rules to minimize deception and
help provide equal opportunity, *not* equal outcome.

There is no such thing as equal opportunity without equal outcome.
It's typical economic pablum for simpletons for the reason that
providing a means in which every one has a equal chance to achieve a
goal is by definition special intervention which is anything other
than "equal" because it results in an equal outcome by definition.

How do you define "equal"? Do you provide an equal opportunity for a
borderline mental competant to learn quantum physics? Do you divide
by class structure? How is it done?

Let's assume for the moment that you have a work force of people of
whom 2/3's are 6 feet tall and 1/3 4 feet tall. Do you have to hire 1
1/3 four foot person for every 6 foot person you have to hire? Is
that equal?

Externalization of costs onto the public while privatizing
profits and crony capitalism run amuck has been a
significant burden on average citizens with respect to
energy, health, defense, and the environment.

And it's been that way since the beginning of time and will continue
until time ends. It's endemic in all economic systems from the
collective to the non-collective.

Get over it and get used to it.