Lots of bigots outed in this thread.
I'm not saying that there aren't cases where laws may need to be put in place for the sake of equality, but generally the situation causing the need was brought about by government intervention itself. Racism, especially in America, didn't just come to fruition out of nowhere. That crap was the product of centuries of governments destroying the liberties of one person for the advantage of another.
Good grief.
Are you saying that business owners are having their rights infringed upon by the government forcing them not to discriminate?
Yes. I would add that if there are laws preventing the discrimination of one person, then those laws should be on place for all people. I don't think that having lgbt left out of that protection while others are afforded it is right. I oppose that. If i didn't oppose it, then I would be a bigot. I oppose the laws equally for all people.
Edited: because I can't type on my phone for crap.
Also, just to clarify again: I don't think there should be laws forcing any private entity to do business with another private entity, even in the effort to promote equality. If there are such laws, i.e. fair employment laws, renters rights, etc. they should be afforded to all people. We can't pick and choose who benefits and who gets left out, and this applies to marriage etc. as well.
In that case, I agree that business owners have their rights infringed upon in this scenario. But remember, the rights your aiming to protect by the prevention of anti-discrimination laws are rights to discriminate against people. Most would agree that individuals have the rights to anti-discriminatory practices in every day life as well.
For example, I think people have the right not to be discriminated in the work place based on color, gender, sexual orientation, age. I believe the same is true about discriminating against those who frequent a place of business. Because I believe that, there are two groups of rights we're talking about: 1. the rights of employers to discriminate 2. The rights of everyone else to freedom from discrimination. I'd err on the side of anti-discrimination and I think anyone who doesn't has to be a complete bad person.
Further, I don't think your "let capitalism guide anti-discrimination" is sound at all. Capitalism certainly did nothing to help black people in the south during the 60s. Would you have suggested those black people either deal with the discrimination or move?
Why should it? They own their business or property don't they? If I in need of shelter and someone refuses to give it to me (ex. it is storming and I ask to seek shelter in their garage for a while) because I'm white, female, gay, communist or whatever, should they be arrested?
I think this hypothetical is skirting the issue. Entering into another's private home is not the same as entering a common place of business.
