Although I consider myself a leftist on many social issues, I have some reservations on affirmative action. This may have seemed like a viable way to redress the problem of racial discrimination at the time when it was enacted, I think it has done more harm than good in the long run. By setting a precedence for reverse discrimination, it has not only created just another face of the very notion of discrimination that it was to redress, but by putting racial factors above merit, it may have also served as a disincentive for those who benefit from it to become more competitive. I am not sure if it should be completely eradicated from educational institutions right away -- affirmative action in schools and colleges serve as an OPPORTUNITY for disadvantaged groups to make themselves competitive with everyone else. But when it comes to employment, I think it does more good to uphold merit as a sole criteria for opportunity. Affirmative action in educational institutions should also be seriously considered for a slow but gradual phase out. Afterall, when all is said and done, it is always beneficial to ensure genuine EQUALITY 9or something very close to it) in every aspect of human lives