Objectives of Inclusion

Although the intentions of affirmative action programs were merely to make more opportunities available to minorities and women by encouraging employers to set goals and timetables for achieving diversity, the reality of affirmative action has strayed significantly from the intent. Few would argue that the task of eliminating every obstacle to education, employment, or promotion for minorities and women in this country is complete, but it is clear that enormous strides in leveling the "playing field" have been made.

Affirmative action is problematic because, not only has it continued even after its primary objective of ensuring equal opportunity has been achieved, but, more significantly, because it involves intervention and overregulation on the part of the government. A libertarian approach to achieving the objectives of inclusion and anti discrimination is clearly more reasonable and effective.

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sure adherence to government regulated goals of diversity. Using race, ethnicity or gender to provide preferential treatment to members of groups that have suffered discrimination in the past implies intergenerational guilt. The United States must finally pose the question: At what point do we stop paying for past injustices, especially when it may be at the expense of groups of individuals who played no role in the oppression of minorities or women? Affirmative action places the burden of responsibility for past transgressions squarely on the shoulders of generations of individuals who never participated in the creation of a "playing field" that is not level. This form of social restitution often means that these individuals have to sacrifice potential jobs, promotions, and admission into schools. Those who are making the sacrifices are, naturally, beginning to wonder whether or not there will ever be a time at which affirmative action will be discontinued. The high standards of workplaces and educational settings are often compromised by affirmative action programs since government intervention often means that the consideration of education, experience, and talent is overruled by the consideration of race, ethnicity,
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1565
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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