If being created equal means "without sin", then I agree with you, but what about the "Original Sin" that some churches preach. Is that a gimmick to make sure you join? All that aside, how I understand "mandate equality" has nothing to do with sins, but rather with racial and religious equality, equality between the sexes such as "same pay for the same job etc.". A lot has been accomplished world wide on these matters, but there is still a long way to go.

As far as leveling the playing field goes, this will never likely happen, anywhere. It is part of the human greed syndrome to hoard and stack the odds. This is most apparent in managers and politicians. Politicians make the rules, and given that politicians are known to bow to managers wishes (and handouts). Go figure.

Resources are only indirectly related to wealth. If you own them you are rich, but they belong to everybody. Resources are water, air, energy, and food. The water wars have not yet begun, but it is only a matter of time before nations start waging wars over water. It will probably start in the middle east as usual. Air is sill being polluted at an alarming level, although those lucky enough to be living in rural areas won't see it directly. You will notice however that some insects just disappear. When the bees are gone we better be up to speed on pollination or else we don't eat. Energy must be regulated in some form. Just take the Enron case. Greedy managers, corrupt politicians. The oil wars are in full swing, but that is a shortsighted approach, and not a win win situation. Case in point Irak. In 20 years time, if Israel hasn't nuked the Middle East in the meantime, Irak will be back where Iran (formally US ally Persia) is now.
Food is also becoming a problem. Most countries in Europe cannot support their citizens, and the food industry has the lowest markup of any modern industry. Someone mentioned in an earlier post that the Pharma Industry had a low ROE, the Return on Investment in the drugs industry is one of the highest, only beaten by the finance and energy industries. If there isn't a malady to be treated they will invent one. The food industry is at the bottom, propped up by useless subsidiaries and hamstrung by incompetent politicians. Monsanto is trying to patent the world's seedstock by promising better crops with their genetically manipulated seeds, and they are making good headway, even though they don't work.
There are a lot of questions which need to be asked, unfortunately an OT forum is nto going to change the world, mind you it is said that the flap of a butterfly's wing in Amazona could release a tornado in Missouri, who knows...
BTW - the banking industry bankrupted itself single handed with dud investments and who knows what else. Governments of the G8 have poured hundreds of billions of dollars and euros into them without blinking an eye to support them. These banks are now making billions profit again, and are handing out billions in bonuses for the time they lost billions. And you are heartrending as to whether to increase the entitlements of people who have worked all their lives. There is something seriously wrong with our system don't you think.


Chris