I stumbled on this video of an old episode of Firing Line featuring a fantastic debate about Affirmative Action. William F. Buckley served more as a moderator between economists Thomas Sowell and Robert Lekachman. The best part of the video is the humor displayed by Buckley, Lekachman, and Sowell. The gentlemen disagree about the issues, but never raise their voice, lose their temper, or repeat talking points. It’s almost impossible to find this kind of debate on the TV these days.
It’s fascinating that the debate really hasn’t changed that much from 1983.
Upon reflection Lekachman’s argument was that Affirmative Action needed more time in order to prove it was working. It’s been 30 years since this video and Thomas Sowell’s points are as clear as ever. Whatever you think of Affirmative Action the burden of proof is still on the statists. The policy doesn’t work. Liberals have long since abandoned Lekachman’s argument that we need 25 years to determine whether it works.
Affirmative Action exists solely today as a populist get-out-the-vote tool for progressives to maintain power. The policy was sold as way to reduce poverty. Affirmative Action isn’t helping reduce poverty among minorities. Sowell won the debate in 1983, but 30 years later the policy still remains. It’s not worth the political capital to reverse the policy. That says it all doesn’t it? What’s the use of a republic when a nation accepts bad policy simply because it’s not worth the effort?
