It’s against the law to discriminate against a provider because of race, religion, gender, etc. And scotus has, for all practical purposes, added sexual orientation to that.
Let P&G, for example, decide against XYZ corporation’s bid on the basis of their race. See how fast they get taken to the cleaners.
We're not talking about accepting a bid. There is no bidding going on here. This is an ongoing contract that had already been awarded with full knowledge of Phil Robertson's religious views and sexual preference, and it was a contract that was never open for bidding.
I must say that I am amazed at your position that the federal government should use the power of the gun to force A&E to keep Phil Robertson on the air based upon some arbitrary claim of discrimination. As one who was formerly self-employed, the ONLY legal qualifications applicable in any contract are contained within that contract. Period. If the contractee wants to terminate me at any time and for any reason, they have that right. Likewise, at any time that I no longer wish to provide work to the contractee, I have the right to terminate, regardless of reason. And why? Because it says it in the contract.