Recently Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul of Kentucky was raked over the coals for saying that the anti-discrimination laws should not apply to private businesses.
Dr. Paul used the idea that discrimination is wrong and he would not do business with those establishments, but that the federal government should not force people to like each other and do business with each other. John Stossel, Fox Business News, agreed and was also smeared in the media.
I see the government telling private businesses that they cannot discriminate, but the federal, state and local governments are allowed to. I just read on the Washington Policy Center’s website where the Mercer Corridor Project, “As stipulated by federal requirements, the city must set aside a certain amount of work for disadvantaged business enterprises — these are businesses owned and operated by women or minorities — and certified by the state’s Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises.”
They reported on a presentation about how to properly apply. One of the slides said, “Must use under represented groups — No white males w/o WSDOT approval and extensive good faith effort documentation.”
I realize in the 1960s and ’70s that these requirements may have been needed, but in 2010, can someone explain them to me?. The U.S. operates a free-market economy and the government should award contracts to the lowest competent bidder, no matter the company’s race or gender employment.
I am personally offended by all discrimination, no matter who it is directed at. Can our government say the same for itself?
Todd Welch
Everett
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