Do you consider yourself more left or right wing?

[zorg1000]

Chrkeller said:

sc94597 said:

Something that is true for individuals (outcomes should depend on decisions) don't generally apply to arbitrary groups/categories -- where different individuals within the group are making different decisions that should balance out on net in similar ways.

It makes sense (even if we assumed actual equal opportunity at birth, which would require no inheritance) for individuals to end up in different places. It doesn't make sense for arbitrary socially constructed groups -- like race for this to be the case, without considering some lurking variable(s) that applies generally to individuals in that arbitrary group. 

We should really want equality between arbitrary groups even if we don't think individuals should have equal outcomes, because that means we are on the right track with regards to equal opportunity. Being born into arbitrary group #1 shouldn't have a strong effect on the decisions you can make when compared to being born into  arbitrary group #2.

It is okay to suggest that we tolerate the inequality of opportunity that is inheritance to promote motivation (or long-term time-preference if you will) but there is a point where only prioritizing that just means society isn't equitable in any sense, including equal opportunity. There should be social institutions that allow one opportunities to fast- track past the decisions or luck of one's parents. Otherwise you have the opposite effect where motivation and productive capacity is stifled due to lack of opportunity inherited by the decisions or luck of others.

Honestly I just completely disagree.  I'm paying for kids college.  I put them in private school.  I hired them tutors.  I ensured they had extra curriculum for their applications.  Etc, etc.  That all stimulates the economy.  If we level the playing field I wouldn't have done any of that.  Nor would I be working 50 hours a week and paying close to six figures in taxes.  Ensuring my family has an advantage is 99% of my motivation.  People can argue that isn't fair to other kids...  but life isn't fair.  I'm not 6 ft 8 inch at 265 lbs with a 40 inch vertical leap...  thus I don't play professional sports, such is life.  

Parents should be encouraged to give their children advantages, not be lazy and expert somebody else to fix it.

I have issues with this view point. All things being equal, hard work and talent should triumph. The problem is that things aren’t equal and the data shows this.

In the US, minorities have:

lower rate of pay

higher rate of unemployment

lower rate of graduating high school

lower rate of college acceptance

lower rate of homeownership

higher rate of homelessness

higher rate of incarceration

This can mean one of two things:

1. Minorities are simply lazier, dumber & more violent than white people.

2. There are societal & institutional barriers preventing minorities from having the same rate of success.

Which one is it?

Last edited by zorg1000 - on 04 September 2025