Liberty and Equality in Post War of 1812 America?

Question

Are liberty and equality complementary or contradictory principles and given the nature of the federal union, what is the best way to guard liberty and implement equality?

Answer 1

Liberty and equality are exact opposites. A country that insures the equality of all (Communist Russia) denies the liberty of all as well. Think of liberty and equality as two buckets tied to opposite ends of a rope hanging down in a well. When the full bucket us under the water, the empty bucket is at the top of the well. When the empty bucket is lowered into the well the full bucket is raised and they pass each other on their respective trips. When one is high (liberty) the other is low (equality.)

Generally in society, over-achievers favor liberty. The lazy underashievers favor equality. Because the hard worker wants the liberty to earn as much money as they can while the lazy underachiever seeks equality in which he gets something for nothing--the welfare mentality.

Any society that is completely free will NEVER be equal. Because the hard workers will always rise to the top while the lazy and shiftless will always sink to the bottom.