There are words that are meant to communicate meaning, and there are words that are meant to obfuscate meaning, and I have concluded that "equality of opportunity" is almost always meant to obfuscate meaning. It uses the word 'equality' only because it's a nice-sounding and popular word, not because it's what the concept advocates. Certain political types want to argue that they're for equality too, so they just labelled their position "equality of something" -- when that has nothing actually to do with equality.
I don't want to "equate" its use with anything else. I want to see it replaced with a phrase that actually communicates its actual meaning more clearly.
When you use it with a different meaning, that means that if someone actually advocates equality of opportunity (e.g. everyone starting in life with a specific identical sum of money, and similar education, without ability to be helped by their parents or other family connections) they don't actually have a way to say it. You've usurped the phrase.
At the risk of inflaming political sentiments, I do feel I need to somewhat come out of the closet to respond to this one.
When you use it with a different meaning, that means that if someone actually advocates equality of opportunity (e.g. everyone starting in life with a specific identical sum of money, and similar education, without ability to be helped by their parents or other family connections) they don't actually have a way to say it. You've usurped the phrase.
But I do advocate equality of opportunity under nearly precisely the terms you define...
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/01/24/should-employers-be.html