Libertarian VP Candidate Wayne Root blasts Affirmative Action in Interview with Gay Magazine: Calls for Free Market-based diversity

by Eric Dondero

Wayne Root has been accused in the past as having a heluva lot of Chuztpa. He tells it like it is, even if it may not jive with what certain individuals or groups want to hear at the time.

In the latest edition of Queerty, an major on-line magazine for Gay/Lesbian Americans, Root doesn't back down. In response to a question on the issue of special rights for Gays and Minorities, he equates government-forced Affirmative Action to "Big Brother Socialism." From Queerty:

AB: Can you please clarify your opposition to affirmative action, which you equate with “reverse racism.” While gay people aren’t part of the measure, certainly they’re impacted by the psychological political impact. Is it not best to have a completely diverse company, organization?

WR: I don’t think diversity in companies should be equated with affirmative action. Diversity is certainly a good thing, but government should not effectively mandate discrimination against some groups in the name of helping others. I whole-heartedly endorse diversity - without supporting affirmative action. It is in the best interest of companies to create a diversified work environment and workforce, and the winners in a free market capitalist system will be smart enough to foster diversity. But to ask government to forcibly require it is more akin to a Big Brother socialist system- and always results in market distortions and unintended negative consequences.

Also in the interview Root outlines the libertarian stance on Gay Marriage, at variance with the liberal Gay Rights Agenda of special rights. Root says, Government should stay the hell out of the issue of Marriage altogether.