WATCHING THE TALKING-HEAD SHOWS on Lott’s resignation, I notice that the new Democratic theme is that the Republicans should “prove that they’ve left racism behind” by supporting appropriate legislation next year.

I agree. I think the Republicans should demonstrate that they’re taking the country beyond the legacy of segregation by passing the “End to Racism and Segregation Act of 2003,” which would provide that neither the federal government, nor the states, nor any entity receiving federal funds may take race into account in any manner in the making of hiring, firing, promotion, or benefits decisions.

What better way to show we’ve moved beyond racism than to put an end to official racism by statute?

UPDATE: Nick Gillespie offers a similar proposal.