Andrew Goetz was off the mark in his column dealing with affirmative action ("Conservatives inconsistent with policy," SN 6/26). What most Democrats and some Republicans do not realize is that affirmative action, and other similar programs, are fundamentally flawed.

This is simply because they define differences in people. They use these differences to give preferential treatment to certain groups. Treatment purely on the basis of skin color is discrimination, no matter how the issue is spun by the Democrats. Discrimination in never OK.

This country should continue to move forward toward a color-blind society, not backwards with institutionalized inequality. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which aimed to end the horrible injustices that were faced by many Americans, authorizes the attorney general "to protect the Constitutional rights in public facilities and public education."

The constitutional right of equal protection is lost with affirmative action. Diversity, including race, background, socio-economic status and ideologies, is an important aspect of society, as I am all agree.

Democrats and Republicans alike should seek ways to achieve a campus that includes all these aspects of diversity, while remaining constitutional and fair at the same time.

Tim Phelps
political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore