MEND IT

JEWISH NEWS EDITORIAL

Titanic change with a capital "C," in the manner of crusading Rep. Newt Gingrich, has become less conspicuous and less viable. Instead, pundits say, incremental change -- restructuring, refining, realigning -- will characterize the next four years.

Still, echoes remain of Gingrich-style extremism and his passionate campaign to limit government. One loud, troubling rumble comes from the State of California, where voters this month approved a controversial measure to dismantle government affirmative action programs.

Proposition 209 prohibits the state from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to any person in public employment, education or contracting. The overly broad measure, which poses serious constitutional questions, threatens to invalidate every California program designed to provide equal opportunity for state residents. If upheld in court challenges, the measure would open the door for similar legislation across the nation.

Just 30 years ago, a wave of federal and state programs paved the way for remediating past discrimination. Women and minorities gradually reaped the benefits of enhanced educational and economic opportunities. While many have gained entree to elite academic and corporate enclaves, increasing the level of competition for spots in those coveted circles, others have cried foul, claiming reverse discrimination and preferential treatment.

Moderation, through careful evaluation and incremental change, is an appropriate response to such laments. The courts have ruled that specific criteria must govern preferential programs, and President Bill Clinton has called for an assessment of affirmative action programs.

Mend it, don't end it is the president's advice. The unilateral dismantling of affirmative action called for by California's new law ought to be stopped before it begins.