I used to think the men who said this were consistent. I'm starting to see it's not that simple.
I think OP actually believes what he's saying, simply because he would do anything for a woman he's extremely attracted to. He gets caught up in these thoughts and hates himself for it: 'Why would I sacrifice so much to be with someone simply because of their looks?' which translates into: 'All women have it easy.' I don't think beautiful or average women necessarily have it easy, but the truth is:
Ugly women beg to differ. Having been taunted all my childhood for that very reason, I know my priorities now, but looking back, that can fukk you up big time - especially a girl. 'How dare you be a woman and ugly?' is a question I've seen asked to Leslie Jones; Gabby Sidibe (Precious); Amy Schumer. Ultimately you can make the best out of every situation, but to say it doesn't come at a price is ludicrous.
The same men who complain about this double standard are mainly the ones who uphold it - polarizing their treatment of women based on attractive or non-attractive. The key is, go figure - sustaining women to the same standards no matter what they look like. What you refer to as 'not putting women on a pedestal' is akin to 'respectful indifference.' Obviously neoteny is going to dictate who you prefer and pursue and there is nothing wrong with that, but the discrepancy is pretty huge in that it hurts both women and men. It will be a cold day in hell before anything changes.