James,
It is possible to also oppose the Civil Rights Act of 1964 out of reasons other than racism. Constitutional originalists question whether the federal government has the power to infringe on the rights of the states to enforce such laws if it is not specifically enumerated by the constitution. Civil libertarians would argue that discrimination is a private matter and restaraunts should be able to create their own rules in regards to race. I don't necessarily agree with these arguments, but you do need to keep them in mind because not everyone who opposes anti-discrimination laws does so out of racism.
True, but can anyone honestly say we'd be better off today if the Civil Rights Act hadn't been passed? Anyone voting against it strictly on the basis of states' rights concerns is making the perfect the enemy of the good.
In fact, I'd argue that the entire struggle for civil rights is the perfect example of why excessive libertarianism and states' rights are flawed ideologies to begin with. Neither would have ever brought about racial equality, and adherents to those philosophies need to keep that in mind.
