Arch Puddington

Arch Puddington argues in the following viewpoint that affirmative-action programs reward incompetent minority businesses and individuals with employment opportunities in the interest of "diversity" and "expanding opportunity" for minorities, while passing over candidates with superior qualifications. This system of favoritism promotes mediocrity because it provides no incentive for less qualified minority jobseekers to improve their skills, according to Puddington. In the author's opinion, a private-sector initiative of programs that enhance black business skills and entrepreneurship would be preferable to government-mandated race preferences that lower standards and discourage hard work. Puddington is vice president of Freedom House, a non-profit organization working to advance economic and political freedom.

As you read, consider the following questions:
1. How does the experience of the author's friend "Michael" illustrate, in the author's opinion, the dishonesty behind affirmative-action programs"
2. Who...