Saturday, October 2, 2010

Arizona Daily Star Q & A with Prop. 107: Government should not favor one race, gender or ethnicity over another


By Leon Drolet, campaign manager for Yes on 107.
Question 1. How would passage of Proposition 107 affect minorities in Arizona?
No matter what name the government gives it - "affirmative action," "quotas," "diversity goals," "race preferences" - programs that treat people differently because of their skin color are discrimination and a violation of citizens' civil rights. Civil rights belong to all people, whatever their race or gender.
Passing Proposition 107 stops the government from picking winners and losers based on race or sex. The language is simple and clear: The state shall not grant preferential treatment to or discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education and public contracting.
Proposition 107 would affect minorities and non-minorities the same way: Government would treat each individual person based on merit and character. Today, ethnicities given preferences include blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans. Asians, Indians, Arabs, Europeans and other ethnicities can be required to meet higher standards for government jobs or college admission.
Nationally, some universities are considering giving men preferences because women are now "overrepresented" on campuses.
Today's preference "winners" may be tomorrow's preference "losers."
Government shouldn't treat anybody differently because of their race or gender.

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