madfoxjay, I read twice and largely agree with your insight. You seem to be a person of wisdom and I can tell you passionately believe in what you write. I was having a conversation this very morning with my daughter about how with our upcoming presidential election the democratic party was in a good position to gain seats in Congress and in the Senate, and possibly the Presidency. We discussed the ideology of both parties and discussed in general terms how the democrats tend to lean toward social programs. By the way, GW is making me less a republican and more a democrat every day. It was a very interesting topic and we both essentially agreed that it would be a good thing for our country to spend less on war, space and other areas of waste and focus more on educating, feeding and caring for our less fortunate. The discussion then went to how do we do this without it turning into a big fraudulent program that is taken advantage of by lazy and unmotivated people that just want a hand out. We agreed that it is only a problematic few who make society stay away from helping more. There are certainly deserving people out there who need help that will never get it because of the perception that our welfare and assistance dollars go to fat lazy people who smoke, drink and live in trailer parks. I think there are some parallels in the AA world. Nobody wants to see another person because of race only step to the head of the line; conversely, I don't believe there are many people out there that wouldn't want to make it a level playing field for hard working minorities that just want a chance. I think it is those on the far right or left that take away from the majority in the middle that would otherwise make some progress with equality. The other big question in this whole equasion is how do you make our population equal? Just looking around my neighborhood there are BMWs, Nissans, big houses, smaller houses and all sorts of things that make people different. Obviously, no two incomes are the same. The Doctor makes more than the accountant, and they all make more than me. Some have Rolex watches and I have a Casio. Some can afford a pool and others go to the YMCA. The question is, how do we approach the idea of equality? There are so many variables in life that it is almost impossible to have two individuals the same in any respect. A black man may have an uncle who works at a place he wants to work and therefore it may be easier for him to land a job there over say a Phillipino who knows nobody on the inside. A hispanic female might have an employment advantage to someone who wants a female worker with spanish speaking skills. Does that make the Vietnamese male seeking a job disadvantaged? My point is there are endless variables that in my opinion make it mpossible to have an equal society. I see the injustice in some cases but I don't see how you can legislate society in these areas. I will likely never get hired into a job where I don't fit. A chinese laundry would likely hire someone they felt comfortable with, probably another chinese individual, to work there and I understand that. I understand the airlines are a different animal and don't mean to suggest that a chinese laundry hiring policy should be adopted at UAL or CAL. The problems exist obviously, I just don't see any magic solutions so that everybody is happy. For everybody that gets something in life there are probably many more that don't. Those people will obviously resent their plight and society will hear about it in a lawsuit, discrimination complaint or a woe-be-me sad song to anyone who will listen. madfoxjay, I like you and appreciate your dedication and compassion for others. In a spirit of friendship, I am freely admitting to you that my maiden name is not Ramirez and I am not a member of the Black Panthers. The OBAP and NAACP membership questions will have to remain a secret for now. You know, I bet you are one hell of a pilot!