Equity is Theft of the Soul

by Thomas Reiner, ©2023

(Oct. 17, 2023) — “…everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. … All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.” — Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Harrison Bergeron 

When “Harrison Bergeron” was written in 1961, “equity” was simply defined as ownership in a property minus liabilities.  When Vonnegut used the word “equal,” he actually described today’s bastardized “equity,” which is the exact opposite.  Equity is a race where unexceptional runners are granted exceptional privileges, allowing everyone to finish at the same time even though the shoelaces of the talented are tied together.  Equity destroys incentive, which is an apt description of Communism.  Equality simply means everyone brings their talent to the starting gate. 

Could Equality be “the Pursuit of Happiness” found in the Declaration of Independence?  America has a built-in, up-and-down escalator.  Every American has the opportunity to improve by hard work and perseverance with a little luck thrown in.  Likewise, one born of privilege can squander their riches until they find themselves guests on the Jerry Springer Show.

Equity is the death of the pursuit of exceptionalism.  How could DEI (more aptly, DIE [Diversity, Inclusion and Equity]) have spread across America like a thought cancer?  SATs are abolished as being unfair; likewise, grades themselves. Promotions and hiring are based solely on skin color. Free speech is now Hate Speech.  Firing is racism if the color fits.  The list grows daily.

Humans are fallible.  The DEI-ization of America makes us lazy once we realize there is no merit in working hard.  Let the other farmer plow his field because I will share his harvest, by force if necessary.  We are all Equal Through Equity^TM.  This is nothing but theft.

“Equity” is a seductive word.   It is the harbinger of our destruction as a nation where ultimately individual is pitted against individual, group against group, and race against race.  This is precisely how the Soviet Union was born but subsequently died under its own weight.

Equity is on the road to create an America which has a small oligarchy at the top and an unimaginably large base of an “equal” proletariat, grasping for the crumbs handed out by the federal government.  In the end, Orwell said it best in Animal Farm where, “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.”

Equality is America’s lifeblood.  Equity is a Level 4 Cancer of the Soul.