Gryiffindor ain't so great

[strawberryshaunie]

No: HPFGUIDX 84386

Is Gryffindor really all that wonderful? If any of the four 
founders of Hogwarts are to be given any credit for being "noble" 
or "wise" it is Helga Hufflepuff. She seems to be the only one with 
any sense of justice and equality (without using direct canon, I 
remember that her house was described as the one that accepted pretty 
much anyone, regardless of lineage, "intelligence" or "bravery". She 
seemes to value hard work and loyalty above other more superficial 
qualities). Ravenclaw only accepts those deemed clever enough, and 
there's no need to point out the shortcomings of Salazar Slytherin (I 
really pity everyone in Slytherin house, it can't be easy belonging 
to the most hated group; no wonder they're such an unpleasant-looking 
lot). 
However, I am most disturbed by the fact that Gryffindor's acceptance 
of only the brave and daring (or something to that effect) is seen as 
a good thing. Yes, courage and the ability to stand up for one's 
beliefs are important and admirable qualities, but shouldn't everyone 
have the same chance? Why not give everyone the same start in 
Hogwarts life, what's the point of separating the "clever" from 
the "brave" from the "ambitious" from the "loyal"? Students that 
possess all these different qualities should have the opportunity to 
really work together, playing off one another's strengths, making up 
for one another's weaknesses, etc. It has been said (many times now) 
by someone (I fail to recall who, exactly, or when) that Harry, Ron, 
Herm,  & Luna together are the soul, heart, mind, and intuition 
respectively. could one not say that the mind, heart, will and soul 
of hogwarts are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin & Gryffindor? I 
think all of them are quite useless on their own and could learn a 
lesson from Helga...I'm sure the sorting hat would agree.