Should a private business owner be able to discrimate in who he/she hires?

How do you feel about private business owners having a right to discriminate against who they choose to hire? Should they be able to?

Chris wrote:How do you feel about private business owners having a right to discriminate against who they choose to hire? Should they be able to?

That's a tough one. For the most part no and a smart business won't. Generally I think people should be judged on their ability but sometimes your job does depend a great deal on your appearance. Maybe shame on our society if a cocktail bar loses money because they hired waitresses built like Roseanne or Rosie O'Donnell or no one will hire a male stripper built like Chris Farley but I don't think a private business should be mandated to lose money.

Alan Smithee wrote:

That's a tough one. For the most part no and a smart business won't. Generally I think people should be judged on their ability but sometimes your job does depend a great deal on your appearance. Maybe shame on our society if a cocktail bar loses money because they hired waitresses built like Roseanne or Rosie O'Donnell or no one will hire a male stripper built like Chris Farley but I don't think a private business should be mandated to lose money.

In that sense....

As long as youre not using government funds oor tax breaks....you can pretty much hire who you want.

All businesses discriminate to some degree. The question will always be what degree is acceptable enough.

Well if it's a privately funded business, then I suppose so. But if they are in ANY way funded by outside dollars, then no way.

I struggle with this topic. I feel business owners have the right to select those individuals who will represent their business in the desired manner.

That said, I then think about if it was acceptable, there will be many unfair errors in judgement.

Yes, private businesses should have that right. Just as someone who is refused employment or service on the basis of discrimination has the right to then publicly slander them for it.