by Tom Boundy

Created on: June 12, 2008

"All men are created equal," is practically the motto for the United States. The Civil Rights Act is hailed as one of the most successful pieces of legislation passed in all of America's proud history. And now, words like stereotype and prejudice are almost synonymous with devil worship. Why America has tried so hard to eliminate even the most obvious differences between its people I will never understand, but I know it will only cause the further deterioration of our society.

Thomas Jefferson and Charles Darwin are both very well respected men and thinkers as well. However, their thoughts, though both highly acclaimed, seem to push for two completely opposite trains of thought. I believe what Jefferson had in mind when he said all men are created equal was that they should be granted equal opportunity to succeed. Unfortunately, he was not quite this verbose. When Americans hear that all men are created equal, they believe just that. Only a very select few will read beyond what is actually on the page. Darwin's philosophy, the survival of the fittest, implies that there will in fact be a superior. And there really must, musn't there? Having strengths and weaknesses is part of being human. However, instead of embracing this, Americans choose to accept that everyone is created equal. That way they do not have search out and hone any of their strengths. Simply by being human they become just as good as all other humans. It is an inalienable right. I do not mean to take any kind of a shot at Thomas Jefferson, but I feel survival of the fittest would be a much more appropriate and beneficial motto for the U.S.

Following the theme of this unfortunate motto, America has fought vehemently to make sure that equality is upheld within its borders. I understand that differences will cause conflict in a place as diverse as "The Great Melting Pot," but thanks to the Civil Rights Act and related legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and affirmative action everyone can blame someone else for their problems. Not only can blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Arabs, women, and handicappers blame the white male majority for taking their jobs, now the white man can blame the government. America has become a place where no one has to take responsibility for their own failings or weaknesses.

The equality mentality has permeated so thoroughly through American's minds that an unspoken and unorganized movement for the abolition of weakness has broken out amongst the United

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