Michigan Voters to Decide on Affirmative Action
About a month ago I posted on how the State Board of Canvassers here in Michigan was disrupted by a mob determined to prevent a statewide vote on Affirmative Action. According to this article in the Lansing State Journal it looks like it's going to be on the ballot.
At the moment it looks like it's restricted to government employment and contracting, and education programs including university admissions. Private employers may still use it if they see fit.
Opponents claim that trickery was used to get people to sign petitions for the proposal. First off who in their right mind would sign a petition without reading it first? Secondly, if it didn't have enough signatures from people who understood it and went to the ballot, wouldn't it be defeated because by then people would understand what they are voting for. Trying to prevent a referendum by mob action is undemocratic; working to defeat it at the ballot box is very democratic.
In my personal opinion, affirmative action is permitted only in specific situations when there has been actual discrimination that can be pointed to, documented and exact names given. The burden of proof in such a case must lie with the accuser. It should never be a general policy.
At the moment it looks like it's restricted to government employment and contracting, and education programs including university admissions. Private employers may still use it if they see fit.
Opponents claim that trickery was used to get people to sign petitions for the proposal. First off who in their right mind would sign a petition without reading it first? Secondly, if it didn't have enough signatures from people who understood it and went to the ballot, wouldn't it be defeated because by then people would understand what they are voting for. Trying to prevent a referendum by mob action is undemocratic; working to defeat it at the ballot box is very democratic.
In my personal opinion, affirmative action is permitted only in specific situations when there has been actual discrimination that can be pointed to, documented and exact names given. The burden of proof in such a case must lie with the accuser. It should never be a general policy.
posted by shoprat at 9:56 PM
2 Comments:
I agree with the idea that the correct way to defeat this is through campaigning, plain and simple.
The use of thug tactics, isn't.
Great post.
Well said, Shoprat!
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