Let's Not Lose Sight of the Real Issue

Mike Rappaport at The Right Coast says this about Alan Keyes's conversion on reparations:

I don't favor reparations, but Keyes's proposal does show that reparations need not be unduly statist. Reparations in the form of exemptions from taxes would be a lot better than reparations in the form of a government welfare program.

Yes, and being punched in the gut is a lot better than being shot in the gut, but a punch in the gut is still a brutal assault.