Lets say I wanted to make a poll on here. Asking if you agree with affirmative action or not, or undecided. How can I do that? I see polls all the time on here

*edit punkdavid* Here you go...

If there is some mutually exclusive option that I've neglected, let me know, but see if your opinion fits neatly into any of these categories.

--PunkDavid

I would say it's necessary to offset practices such as admissions based on legacy.

Everything should be based on merit. To assume that a student or employee needs preferential treatment due to race, sex, or any other condition is insulting to both the applicant and the employer/college.

1 and 4.

Hmmmm. Touche.

Helping a second generation of minorities, thereby hurting a second generation of white males (The assumed majority), for things that concern the generation before them? That doesnt make sense.

second generation?

I think everything should be based on merit....if only this nation wasn't filled with morons and underlying racism that would be possible. I'm sure most minorities would love to just be based on what they have to offer as students, employees, whatever and not the color of their skin. Unfortunately, I think race still comes into play far too often in a negative way, thus affirmative action is still necessary.

Everything should be based on merit, however that would (of course) only work perfect in a perfect world (one without racism).

However, AA tends to tip the scales towards discrimination in the opposite direction, so in the end, is it six of one and half a dozen of another?

One compromise would be to take AA out of the equation in terms of hiring for jobs but keeping such a program in place for higher education. On the one hand, it doesn't prevent racist bosses from not hiring minorities but it at least allows everyone an equal shot at higher education.

Another compromise would do it the other way around.

So there are your real choices:

1.) Keep the status quo
2.) Elminate it all together
3.) Keep it for education, eliminate it from the job market
4.) Keep it for the job market, eliminate it from education

I'm very strongly against AA. I voted for 4.

id vote for 2 and 4 combined

You know I hate to admit it, but remember in American History X where the dad is talking to ed norton at the dinner table about what he thinks of affirmative action? The truth is said right there. Don't get any ideas though, I'm not a racist.

i voted 2.

So it is a necessary affront to equal rights and general fairness?

I'm a bit confused, but that appears to be a utilitarian view that would be supported by a Republican with a guilty conscience (a "compassionate" one). What is your opinion of the 14th amendment and the equal protection clause, can you strictly and loosely construe the Constitution simultaneously?

AA is obsolete. Now, if a boss is racist enough to not hire minorities, I think there is enough power in public opinion to create a successfull boycott.

Good point.

I like you. Stick around.

pretty much. I think affirmative action can be an act of equal protection if the situations dictate it. I think they do. I think as long as quotas are not a part of the law then it is valid constitutionally. I think society should be able to be color blind. I don't think ours is. I think some minorities face an uphill battle. I think affirmative action can offset that. I think in that process, where employers or institutions are both encouraged, perhaps required, to place an emphasis on race and disallowed from not hiring on race some people get caught in the middle. I don't think this is an inconsistent position constitutionally. I don't think the government can tell a company how many black employees it has to have. I don't think the government can punish employers who don't hire any black people unless they can prove it was done intentionally. I do think the government can offer incentives to diverse workplaces. That is what affirmative action means to me.