Orrin Hatch: “our country stands at a crossroads in the path it travels in relations among the different races and ethnic groups that…”

“our country stands at a crossroads in the path it travels in relations among the different races and ethnic groups that make up the American people. Down one path is the way of mutual understanding and goodwill; the way of equal opportunity for individuals; the way of seriously and persistently addressing our various social problems as America's problems. It is the way, ultimately, of greater unity among our people. Down the other path is the way of mutual suspicion, fear, ill will, and indifference; the way of group rights and group preferences. On this path we march toward greater division. And, on this path, the signpost is marked: equal results for groups, not equal rights for individuals. This is a time when our national leadership needs to lead us down the proper path. I am concerned, however, that the President views this subject too much as a political issue. It has been an issue which he has sought to manage in order to avoid an intra-party challenge or independent candidacy from his left, rather than simply base policy solely on the merits.”