My One Question

I’m responding to Dan Schwartz’s challenge.  (Click here and here.)

To Obama:  You have described yourself as ushering in a post-race presidency and a post-race America.  Doesn’t that necessarily mean that we’ll no longer need workplace discrimination laws–at least as to race–and if not, why not?

To McCain:  You would be the oldest person ever elected to the presidency.  It’s predicted that with thousands of baby boomers turning 60 every day now, some employers will have to lay off or terminate a disproportionate number of older employees to keep younger employees and allow them to advance in the workplace.  If this should happen, will you direct the EEOC to give priority to aggressively pursuing employers accused of age discrimination?

To Biden:  You have pledged to support employers’ efforts to increase the number of jobs in America.  You have also pledged your support for the ADA Amendments Act, which will significantly broaden the definition of “disability,” substantially increase the amount of disability discrimination litigation, and guarantee a dramatic rise in what employers will have to pay to reasonably accommodate these extra disabilities.  How can you support the ADA Amendments Act when it will assure a decrease in jobs because of the extra costs and expenses the Act will thrust on employers?

To Palin:  You would be the first female vice president.  One of your first public statements as a candidate was to encourage women to break the glass ceilings that have often held them down.  Do you think that the current laws prohibiting gender discrimination need to be strengthened to help women break through and if so, in what way–and how will you advance the opportunities of women in this way without creating a kind of reverse discrimination against men?