Affirmative action is a good idea, but it can only be enforced by using quotas. There is no other way. Since quotas are discriminatory, affirmative action simply replaces racism with racism. Since this is the case, the only argument for affirmative action becomes a vengeance argument. In essence, saying since you discriminated against us, it is now our turn to discriminate against you.
Racism is a serious problem in the United States.
So is sexism, age discrimination and discrimination against the disabled. There must, however, be a better way to combat this than with more discrimination. Affirmative action was designed to protect women and minorities from discrimination. Unfortunately, it proved to be unenforceable. For this reason we should let it die and work toward a new and better solution.