Despite efforts, perfect fairness isn't possible

(Fort Wayne) News-Sentinel

In today’s equality-driven world, our search for perfect fairness becomes ever more ludicrous and increasingly trivial. Two examples should

suffice:

French President Francois Hollande has proposed banning homework as part of a school reform package because of the inequality factor — kids who get extra help at home have an unfair academic edge. “An education program is, definition, a societal program,” he said. “Work should be done at school, rather than at home.”

Ten southeastern Indiana high schools have joined in a federal consent decree to schedule boys and girls basketball games equally on Friday and Saturday nights. Those two evenings are considered “prime time,” and games that are scheduled then draw bigger crowds of cheering fans. Games at other times get sparser crowds.

The French example is the effort that’s ludicrous. It turns the idea of “level playing field” on its head. Instead of trying to give the disadvantaged a hand up, the high achievers are punished by having their advantage taken away. Heaven forbid that someone who puts in extra effort should get a greater reward — what kind of message would that send?

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