Affirmative Action – Again?

In 1961, America embarked upon the social practice known as “affirmative action.”

It was intended to assist minority, underclass and/or underprivileged groups based on race, gender, or age overcome “overt historical discriminations.” Despite several Supreme Court decisions limiting affirmative action implementation and a much anticipated case (Fisher v. Univ. of Texas) soon to be announced, the concept is as controversial today as it was over four decades ago.

Several states, such as California, Washington, Michigan, and Nebraska, have constitutionally banned the practice. But like all liberal ideas, affirmative action is flawed in its premise, a failure in its purpose and morally corrupt.

Democrats, better described as “Victocrats,” constantly search for new victims of some alleged injustice so they can expand government power and control. The policies that result create a “cult of victimization,” “reverse discrimination” and governmental actions that choose the winners and losers in society. That is not justice or the proper role of government.

Thomas Jefferson tells us that governments securing the “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” of mankind is the legitimate function of political power. When governments utilize “affirmative actions” to give special status to some group they destroy “equal protection under the law.”

Justice requires that “affirmative action” be ended.

Treating all people equally is not the same as treating all people fairly.

Nor is it in the best interest of our society. Strict observance of equal treatment would make it nearly impossible, for instance, for many of our physically handicapped to access their places of work and worship, to run their daily errands, or to freely visit with their families. Few people wish to turn the clock back in this way.

Many, however, have come to believe that we have diminished ourselves as individuals and as a nation by disparaging our natural competiveness. Reverse discrimination is not fair. It saps the spirit of those who are meant to benefit as well as those who lose out because of it.

Being unfairly rewarded does not build character; being unfairly denied leads to divisiveness. Neither is good.

We can, and should, make certain that the doors of opportunity are open to all; that all are invited and encouraged, to participate, competitively, on their wits, on their merits.

That’s all that we should ask for ourselves and all that we should be expected to give to others.

A helping hand from time to time, of course, and special attention when it is due, but as for handouts based on race, religion, or ethnicity – it’s time for them to go.