Dolph, a level playing field, cannot be had because not all humans are created “level”. We all have different abilities. The supreme court only guarantees, equal opportunities, not equal outcomes and results. A level playing field assumes everyone is equal in terms of skill and can compete at the same “level”, and “gender” should be a mandated advantage if your “numbers” are lower than the opposite gender. You cannot use one wrong to justify another wrong. Any PC handout or special consideration, protected minority status, etc is wrong, because instead of leveling the playing field it simply gives preference. It replaces people of all possible ranges of skills with people of “supplemented or preferred gender, racial, or ethnic group” skills based entirely on “numbers”. How can that possibly be a level playing field, unless you assume all people, i.e some women who claim this right to be equally smart? The problem is a social attitude one (I deserve more money and social benefits based on my gender, race, or ethnic group) Income and type of job is one of “choice” and level of education. The job you end up with is the job you choose, with it comes the salary you choose, and the results and entire human distribution over all the possible skill sets.

Michael said on 4 Mar 2008 at 11:02 pm:
I too support the female draft, and in all combat fields with all required to put their life on the line the same regardless of their gender. We are beginning thankfully to achieve that. No gender has a right to claim their life is more “special” or “precious” than another. The “Titanic” should never have happened the way it did. That one gender deserves more “life and liberty” than another is morally wrong. My daughters life is no more precious to me than my son’s life. I venture, equal opportunity is never claimed here, is it?

Also regarding the right or social requirement to pay the “bill” for dinner and a date, is equal opportunity claimed here as well? We will be free and “equal” when no more men are expected to be the “wallet” and “provider” for people to claim they deserve from another what they don’t earn for themselves, entirely based on gender. When this also is required, as well as the right of fathers to raise their children and receive child support equally, in “equal” numbers, not based on gender but on ability, skill and income, I will support the ERA.