The District Chronicles

End discrimination. End Affirmative action. No further comment.

Thank you so much for posting this article! I found the link from sheroes, and I wanted to complement you because it is fantastic!

If "affirmative action" is based on the proposition that discrimation, HOWEVER DEFINED, in the USA negates the ideals of the republic, then the burden is on the opponents of "affirmative action" to PROVE that the ideals of the republic are fully functional. That showing should eliminate the need for "affirmative action," however defined or determined.

One crucial ideal is "equal opportunity." This concept, by the way, is the equivalent of the market concept of "unfettered access to the market by participants in market transactions" or "the efficient markets theory," or a similar dismal concept from the dismal 'science' of economics.

No "affirmative action" is necessary in "efficient markets," because there is "equal opportunity to buy and sell." NO MARKET PARTICIPANT IS PRIVILEGED.

That is obviously not the case in 'the market' where "affirmative action" is operative. First, historical facts strongly show that certain elements of the US population were intentionally and authoritatively EXCLUDED from the benefits of "equal opportunity." Whether the historical fact of exclusion is rocking now or, in egghead lexicon, is "historically efficient," is the REAL ISSUE in the "affirmative action debate."

Accordingly, the proponents of "affirmative action," however defined or determined, must show that the "exclusion" thesis still rocks today, RIGHT NOW.

It is obvious that language being what it is---a tool---can be manipulated in varied ways to 'prove' the proponents' and opponents' theses. Hence, the issue will be indeterminable.

WHERE A SOCIAL ISSUE IS INDETERMINABLE, ONLY A POLITICAL CALL OR OPINION WITH TEETH CAN EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

Who, then, shall make the call?

YOU decide who must make the call. And, remember that that your decision is also subject to the theory of the indeterminacy of social issues.

What gives, then?

POWER FOLLOWS THE MONEY. Go figure.