Oops, never mind

During the election, I strongly supported Proposal 2 - The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. I wrote dozens of letters and commented on dozens of blogs. I was personally vilified by co-workers and others. I was called a racist and worse on some of the blogs I posted to. I got my first close look at the political campaign process in action complete with the lies, distortions, and ad hominem attacks. I felt personal satisfaction when the proposal passed with 58% of the vote. Now, I get to say "I told you so".

At the request of the Governor, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission analyzed the impact of Proposal 2. Last week they released a report titled “An Assessment of the Impact of Proposal 06-02”. The Commission analyzed the impact of last November’s Proposal 2 (MCRI) on diversity and equal opportunity. It should be noted that the Commission strongly and vehemently opposed Proposal 2 from its conception. During a press conference, it was announced as follows:

"With this Report, the Commission and Department confirm that Proposal 2 does not mean the end of equal opportunity or diversity in Michigan," said Linda V. Parker, Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. "Proposal 2 was a clear objection to one method of securing diversity and equal opportunity. We believe that the goal of promoting diversity and the message behind Proposal 2 are not mutually exclusive."

Also, in the 74 page report they identify several health programs that target specific genders and races. They conclude that these programs are permissible under Proposal 2. So much for the elimination of breast cancer screenings and domestic abuse shelters.

Apparently the people who know more than me on the subject just needed a little more time to look at the issue. Perhaps if they had spent more time analyzing the issue instead of vilifying the messengers, they would have known this before the election.

[Online rant. Posted 03/14/2007.]