THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507270004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
What kind of hypocritical rhetoric is the president proposing regarding affirmative action? ``Every federal preference program should two tests: 1. Does it work? 2. Is it fair?'' These tests are neither realistic nor objective.
The first test, ``Does it work?'' has only two answers: yes or no. What criteria should be used to determine this? The debate could take years and never be answered except in the negative. Someone will always say, ``It didn't work for me.''
The second test, ``Is it fair?'' is a subjective question. What is fair to one person is not necessarily fair to another. As with the first test, the criteria debate could take years. Furthermore, how could a program that by design is unfair be evaluated as fair? In that the purpose of affirmative action is to give preferential treatment to one group of people over another, a program so designed could never be considered fair.
President Clinton should take some initiative and leadership by abolishing affirmative action and working on the true priorities of this country; a balanced budget, our children's education, making our communities safe to live and the country's defense.
DAVID D. PETRI
Virginia Beach, July 20, 1995 by CNB