On the Rachel Maddow Show, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul repeatedly stated that he opposes racial discrimination. He voiced support for a ban against discrimination in the public sector. However, stressing the importance of First Amendment rights, Mr. Paul suggested that private businesses should be allowed to discriminate based on race.
A large segment of discrimination occurred and continues to occur in the private sector. If civil rights legislation did not regulate the private sector, Jim Crow segregation would continue to exist. Businesses would be able to refuse to hire and/or promote African Americans and other minorities. Restaurants, movie theatres, swimming pools, country clubs, private schools and other businesses would be allowed to bar African Americans.
To quell the controversy, Mr. Paul recently issued the following statement. "I unequivocally state that I will not support any efforts to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964." That statement does not absolve him. It is outrageous that the Republican Party would nominate such an extremist.
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