A truly level playing field does not require “affirmative action.”
The ever-zealous proponents of affirmative action are at it again.In a desperate attempt to defeat Colorado’s Proposition 46, which wouldeffectively end affirmative action in Colorado public schools, a groupwhose website is known as “No to 46” has engaged in some ratherquestionable tactics to defeat the ban. In other states such asMichigan, Washington state, and Nebraska, similar measures have passedwith between fifty-five and fifty-eight percents. Colorado’s vote counton the proposition is extremely close at this time, with 50% votingagainst it and 49% for, and a sizeable number of provisional ballotsexist. Colorado law prevents the measure from passing or failing withless than .5% without a recount.
Why is this result so surprising however? Well, it could resultfrom the fact that more liberal states than Colorado have supported anend to affirmative action, or because affirmative action supporters inColorado have attacked everything from the language of the propositionto its name to its intentions and effect, or because of a very nastyweb campaign, but those probably don’t come close to the fact that this“No to 46” site has essentially claimed that the proposition is backedand supported by none other than the Ku Klux Klan. Aside from being thoroughly nasty, unethical, and meant tomisinform, this statement is just plain wrong. Defenders of affirmativeaction have once again employed false information to crusade againstthe equal rights of students. Such a new and innovative tactic for sucha worthy cause. Well, maybe not. But good try, nasty affirmative actiondefenders, maybe next time your strategy will end in a decisive defeatof all those who strive for equality of opportunity. In the meantime,other states are getting the message.