The Republican mantra.

If you study your ass off in college and work smarter and harder than the people in the room, you won't be equal- you'll be the one who gets the job. In 2007, individuals should be thinking about being better educated and prepared instead of being 'equal' to someone else. . .and the government should put its energies elsewhere. . .

The EOE laws exist to create equal footing regardless of a wide variety of "differences" in what we look like, how we talk, etcetera. We're all pink in the middle, so why not give an equal shake to everyone.

For the most part, the issue of equal opportunity has been long settled. No one really questions whether all Americans should have a reasonable and equal opportunity of success. This is one reason our society provides free education, health care, etc so as everyone has a chance to pull themselves out of their conditions of birth. Nevertheless, no society can make an inherently unequal situation equal. We can only aspire for equity (which is much more complex), and equity is subject to many, sometimes conflicting, public policy concerns. Furthermore, the past and current history of this issue illustrates how much equal/equitable opportunity is subject to legal and social inertia. In the past, the law was slow to change to reflect the growing social demand for better treatment of women and minorities. Presently, as these ills have been largely eliminated, the legal tools used (eg affirmative action) are no longer necessary, and the constitutionality of same is now doubtful at best. I say doubtful because the 14th Amendment prohibits discrimination by the government based on race, etc. This means that any state discrimination must serve a compelling state interest by the most narrowly tailored means possible, and no law that is this debatable can meet that threshold. Other concepts that must be considered and reconciled with our efforts to provide equal/equitable opportunity are the consequences of culture (ie lifestyle choices come with both advantages and costs) and the reasonableness of presumption. An example of the latter is that women are often presumed to be weaker and more helpless (eg domestic violence laws), yet that presumption is illegal for hiring decisions. The bottom line is that equal opportunity is misnomer as the better term is equitable opportunity, that this issue has been largely settled, and that we are now in the process of dismantling the systems created to eliminate and mitigate a problem that has mostly been solved (as much as the problem will ever be solved given the current human condition).

Race should not be a factor and should not be on any applications be it for jobs, school admission, housing, etc. We should judge each person by merit, by what they have earned, or non racial factors in a specific situation. (for example, the death of the person who earned the family income) Discrimination is already against the law. Enforce the law.

Everyone in America has equal opportunity. The problem is many in the population just want things handed to them. Get a job.

We've always had affirmative action in this country. Affirmative action ABSOLUTELY isn't new. But the ACTION in this country that has been AFFIRMED has been for WHITES for over 400 years. They've owned everything,including people. All the land, horses and cattle. The right to vote, free speech and live free. Education, good jobs, fair housing...all for whites. And the ONLY qualificatioin for the PREFERENCES were..you guessed it...be born white. Now...white people HATE affirmative action. Why? Because the victims now look like them. They never cared before. They never had a problem with preferences when they were the only ones being preferred. But minorities today aren't asking for the type of affirmative action that white people had. We don't want to sell your children, blow up your churches, rape your wives, hang you from trees and own you...no this is the type of affirmative actioin that whites exercised...but minorities today only want, once qualified, to be given a fair chance to provide for our children. We want the chance that we should have had all along. But, alas, the bigots in the country, live on. White folk should stop whining about affirmative action. Wth us all being descendants and products of our environment, whites should realize that affirmative action is how they got just about everything they own.

Everyone is born with a chance to do something great. Nobody can do everything, but everybody can so something. Every single citizen in our country deserves a fair chance to make something of themself. The most qualified person, man or woman, young or old, black or white, should get a spot in college or a job. They should not automatically be admitted because of their sex or the color of their skin, but rather by the contents of their brain.

You want true equal oppportunity? Get rid of inheritances altogether. Everyone should start on a level playing field, no matter who mommy and daddy are.

The 14th ammendment of the Constitution upholds equal opportunity for everyone regardless of race, religeon, creed and sex. The recent decision of the Supreme Court upholds the University of Michigan's law school's affitmative action policies giving preference to racial minorities. Wanna level the playing field? Anytime you submit an application or resume to any institution say that you are black. If everyone says they are black then you can't be discriminated against because of your race. If they say, "We can't let you in here because you are white." then say, "No, I ain't! Look right here. It says I'm black. Learn how to read bitch!" If you've got real ambition you can change your race like Michael Jackson did. I support the 14th ammendment.

Not currently a big political issue, so I give it a 2. Of course equal opportunity is great, but we can't enforce equal outcomes or equal happiness. People should get a fair shot, regardless of gender, race, religion, shoe size, whatever, but when PREFERENCE is added into the equation, that's the problem. I don't want "extra points" because I'm female and a minority; I want the job because I'm qualified, and if the other applicant is more qualified, then the position was not mine to have.

The government should treat every citizen exactly the same way, and stop giving favorable treatment to any special interest groups. Programs like the mis-named "Affirmative Action" only breed racism and ill-will.

Equal opportunity is extremely important because it is essential to our democracy. Are there measures in place now to aid in this cause? Yes, but still we see the ugly face of discrimination when looking at the numbers. Should the government do more? I'm not really sure, but I know that we as a society have to do more to ensure all of our childrens future.

The idea behind Equal Opportunity appears to be quite contradictory to its own title. There is nothing equal about the opportunities supported by this thought. The most qualified person is not chosen. A less qualified person is chosen due to some discrimination some other person suffered decades ago. How in the world is this equal? The sins of the fathers are visited on the children? That's correct? That's proper? What about when the tables are turned? Here in Memphis, whites are the minority and yet all the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action is still geared towards non-whites? Where's the equality in that? The bottom line is simple: the most qualified person should win out, whether that person is black, white, or purple.

If there were no racism or sexism then equal opportunity would not be an issue. Until people realize that race and sex do not dictate intelligence or a person's character then equal opportunity will always be a problem. There are many hard-working, smart, good people who have been overlooked because of their race or their sex and that is the reason for programs like affirmative action. It would be nice if we didn't need affirmative action but if you look at the history of minorities and women in government, big business and entertainment, affirmative action and equal opportunity is neccessary. This country has come a long way but there is always room for improvement.

I believe that women are just as capable as men in doing most jobs. Granted, you probably won't see too many women wanting to operate heavy machinery and the such. Women, as a group, are America's most underappreciated human resource. There is so much talent out there that can be exploited for good. From my father's personal experience, he has found in his workplace that some women are too shy to approach an audience of board members because they are afraid of the potentially chauvinistic remarks that they will receive from them, which happens to be dominated by men. Us as men will respect a woman when she does step up to the plate. When women do step up, the results could be magnificent. Women have made great leaders of other countries. Look at Margaret Thatcher in England, one of the most influential Prime Ministers of the late 20th Century, or Indira Gandhi in India, or Golda Meir in Israel. All were great leaders with an inspirational vision for their respective countries. I think its high time that more American women step up into the world of politics. Women have been making big inroads, but there's still a long way to go. The academic elite speak of "a glass ceiling" when it comes to hiring practices and women. I believe it could be "shattered" very easily; women have to take the INITIATIVE in their workplaces. I understand that women also have to take particular care of their families as well, which may hinder their progression. I have aunts who are great parents and still have time for their kids; just like dads have time for their kids as well. It is just a matter of parental initiative on both side of the equation. A balanced approach is necessary. Also, there is no shame in being a housewife. My mother was (and still is) a housewife and she worked just as hard as any one else.

See John. See John work for one hour. See John make $10. Now see Jane. See Jane work for one hour at the same job as John under the power of the same boss. See Jane make $7.20. Get the point? Men have been on top for so long (PLEASE, no dumb jokes about that) and their overall bigotry toward women has for the most part not changed. The same thing with blacks and homosexuals and almost all other minorities. As long as the big white manlymanis a priority and anyone who is not the big white manly man is below them and serves them, everything suits them. Keep the woman in the kitchen; keep the woman pregnant. Keep the blacks in the projects; keep them in the slave cabins. Shove the homosexuals violently off to the side. I'm sorry to say that too many men wite men these days can be described this way. As a girl, I take great offense and hope things will change. Aaaargh! Take care, everyone!

Personally, I don't think anyone should get special preference for anything just because of their race or gender. On the inside, we are all the same and we should all be treated that way.

People of all backgrounds, heritage, pecuniary situation, etc. should have an equal opportunity to succeed in the business and professional world without discrimination and there should be no advantage given to people of wealthy families and whatnot. I am all in favor of affirmitive action.

The question of equal opportuntiy has been around for hundreds of years...There has been the thing w/ African Americans as slaves...and not being able to vote....but then there has been the case of women not being treated farely...African americans had it bad by being slaves...They had to work in fields and if they tried to escape their feet would be cut off or hurt so they couldnt run...Women had it bad because the white male was the commander of everything...They had to cook clean and rarely have ne time for themselves...it took women longer to vote than it did african americans...I highly doubt that every1 will be treated farely....I mean there will alwayz be a bigger % of stronger men than women..and they will alwayz try to control women..and I know there will alwayz be prejudice people out there thinking members of the other race shouldnt do this or that...For African Americans they hav always been judged on how they look..but why can't people just forget the color of a person's skin and accept them for who they r...There was the eraof Martin Luther King...I am pround of him..even though i am not of his race...but the thing that hurt me most is the way his son said that white people are just white dogs...and thats all we are...Now what the hell is that...I am not a white dog..and neither are my white frens and family...Now peeps are trying to get better at accepting others but how can we when there are still those type of prejudice people out there...I know most black and white people have been raised to dislike the other race....but why is that? The way our anscestors lived or how we live?? People should concentrate on now and not what has happened in the past b/c I know as a grl that women were not treated fairly and I can complain about that..I can say how there has never been a woman president..but I dont b/c I want to try and stop all the hate..as best as I can..I know that African Americans have a tough time b/c of there past and I know they can complain about it and thet cansay how there was never a black president...but why do that?? except to cause more controversy our world doesnt need...I mean there was the time during world war 2 where people would kill Jewish people...just for being born that way...!! That is aweful...my grandfather faught in that war and survived...He isnt Jewish but he wanted to help those poor people...My other grandfather was Jewish and he wanted to fight for his people too..but he wasnt able to b/c he needed glasses...ya c my point is that it doesnt matter what ur heritage or face color is as long as u have a good heart and trys to do what is right. People need to take that 1 step to try and change what they can to make our world a better place..Is ne of this making any sense to u?? can u c what the pt. is Im trying to make??? If so u can see the pursuit of equal oppurtunity Im trying to help...

I am all for Equal Opportunity but I am also a proponent of Equal Pursuance of Opportunity. I do not see this as a large government issue. I believe there are a few areas that need some “governmental guidance” to keep a check on grossly illegal and immoral business activities, but I don’t see the need for huge government spending and programs to ensure everyone is treated “equally”. How can you control this at the level fanatics expect. Equal pay for Equal work, great idea, just remember the work is not only the job description, it is the performance level. Regulation of age, sex, religion, and race discrimination, great idea, just remember all must be equally qualified. A young white male Caucasian and a young male minority apply for the same job to manage a team of professionals. They have identical education backgrounds and identical experience levels, but in the interview one demonstrated a very positive team work ethic the other demonstrated a very autocratic work ethic. Which one are you going to hire? Before you answer, I did not say which had which personality trait….your selection can only state which personality trait you prefer because nothing else matters at this point. Many would argue that personality should not be considered. If you are hiring someone that will report to you and work with you on a daily basis should not both parties be able to get along. I would hate to be told by my management that they never liked or thought they would get along with me and hired me only because I was qualified. What a miserable job that would be, unless in a twisted way I enjoyed that kind of stress. Unfortunately, our society has interpreted equal opportunity as equalization. Protect our human rights but sorry all things are not equal. If I am not mistaken, equalization is something Hitler attempted. We cannot be equal; it is impossible because every one of us is different. In the example above notice, I never said one trait was positive or negative. Both are acceptable management styles in their correct environment. And, for those who say we need government programs to make up for the “sins of the past”, no program will ever make you successful. If you need a government program to subsidize your education, personality, or anything else that you can control or influence, you think that might just point to a spot in your life that needs additional development? No, Equal Opportunity should not be a major government issue. It should protect our basic constitutional rights but that is as far as it goes, the rest is up to us.

For me equal opportunities doesn't only concern the different races, but also sex & in surthen ways even age. Of course the racial aspect is the most important because it's there in the world as a whole & in the USA too, we find the largest differences, discrimination, & even lack of equal rights. The US has never had a non-white president. Although the logic says three out of ten presidents SHOULD be latino, black, asian or indian, because only 69 % of the population is white. This is not casual. Who many times have a non-white won an Oscar? Not too many, that's sure. How many of the senators & parliamentarians in the House of representatives are non-white? Or even women? The US has never had a female head of state like most European countries & even some Asian ones. It's also a fact that younger people don't have the same rights as the elders. Why can't 16 year old teenagers have the right to vote when senile 80 year olds can vote? Why do you have to be 21 year old in the states to buy alcohol, when you can be 16 year in Germany to buy beer?

I don't have a problem with equal opportunity per se. Unfortunately, truly equal opportunity is not something that can be easily measured in any objective way, because people make their own opportunities, both by the degree to which they submit to training and education, and by the kind of attitude that they project in their dealings with other people. Two people with the same college degrees are not necessarily entitled to the same level of opportunity, because one person may have performed brilliantly in school, while the other only performed adequately. And even if both people are academically equal, one person may have more opportunities because he's a pleasant human being, while the other hurts his chances by being obnoxious. I think what I'm getting at is that, aside from punishing those who engage in really egregious discrimination, the law should not get too mixed up in the pseudo-scientific social engineering that is at the heart of preferential policies like Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action is morally absurd, because it is based on the premise that you can make up for past discrimination against one group by tolerating sometimes blatant discrimination against another, all in the name of "getting even." Unfortunately, the real world does not react well to such simple-minded and adolescent notions of social justice. Telling a white man that he will not be considered for a job, even though he is well qualified for it, because the job is part of a minority set aside does not make up for past injustice; it does not compensate for the deeds of the slavemasters or the atrocities of the Ku Klux Klan. It is, in fact, the very same old injustice, applied in a new way. The white man who is discriminated against in this manner knows that he is not a slavemaster (and probably not even descended from one), nor a Klansmen. He therefore has every moral right to respond with contempt and enmity towards people and institutions who treat him in such an arrogant and dehumanizing way. Treat enough individuals like that, and pretty soon you've created an army of enemies out of people who were not necessarily hostile to you at the outset. So in the end, Affirmative Action is not only hypocritical; it is also very damaging to those it intends to help. Equal opportunity will start to come to black-Americans when they have gained the full respect of their fellow citizens. Respect is not a racial entitlement; it cannot be legislated. It has to be earned through persistence and persuasion, not through moral bullying and racial guilt trips. If you tell someone that he owes you respect because you are purportedly a martyr to oppression, you may get him to show you the outwards signs of respect, but inwardly he'll think you're a jerk. And he'll be right!

No way should there be affirmative action. Let us all go into situations equal... that is fair and just!!! We should stand on our own individual merits not hide behind our race or some other ethnic cultural excuse for not being the best we can be in our own individual lives!!!