Believe it or not, I'm going to support Gov. Granholm on this one.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has issued an order that bars discrimination against state workers based on their "gender identity or expression," which protects the rights of those who behave, dress or identify as members of the opposite sex.

The order adds gender identity to a list of other prohibited grounds for discrimination that include religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, marital status, politics, disability or genetic information.

"State employment practices and procedures that encourage nondiscriminatory and equal employment practices provide desirable models for the private sector and local governments," says the resolution, which Granholm signed Wednesday.

Government -- at any level -- should not be discriminating against citizens. Period. End of sentence, paragraph, and discussion.

That even includes against folks whose sense of self is so warped that they cannot figure out their gender or feel the need to have their genitalia mutilated.

Every citizen deserves equal treatment from the government.

That said, I oppose any attempt to impose such a non-discrimination policy on the private sector. Heck, I support the repeal of any law that imposes non-discrimination requirements on any private sector employer -- and that includes gender identity religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, marital status, politics, disability, genetic information or any other category you like (with the exception of those related to military service -- that has a national security aspect to it that makes such policies imperative).

Not, may I state for the record, that I support such discrimination by the private sector. I simply don't believe the government has a legitimate interest in interfering with the right to control one's property (a business) or association (which is one aspect of the employment relationship).

Besides, I want to know who the folks doing the discrimination are. In most instances, I will probably want to take my business elsewhere.