text: There's a difference between discrimination and affirmative action.  One can argue the efficacy of the programs or the criteria for determining racial identity.  But one cannot argue against the proposition that certain racial groups have historically suffered from discrimination, continue to suffer disproportionately by almost every social & economic criterion, and are therefore deserving of affirmative action.  Although almost all immigrant groups (including Jews and white Catholics like the Irish and Poles) suffered discrimination, groups that were enslaved and or colonized (African-Americans, Native-Americans, Native-Hawaiians) suffered considerably more, so the burden on society to redress this harm is much greater.  If you want to suggest that affirmative action be aimed through a means test that, surprise, surprise, just happens to target a disproportionate number of the most racially repressed groups, fine. I, for one, DO want my tax dollars to help those who were discriminated