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Could it be that everyone except the white man is given substantial tax benefits and opportunities that don't exist in the world of the "racist" whitey?

If that's the case, then where do I sign up to get my "substantial benefits and opportunities?" I've been consulting off and on for more than ten years. I've yet to receive any "substantial tax benefits and opportunities."

Let's be clear about this - no one is saying that there aren't "set-asides" out there for a fair amount of business.

I've got a major problem with that. I would much rather earn someone's business than to deal with "set-aside" business. But the larger problem is the use of the "broad brush" to lump me and the other honest and upstanding businesspeople in with those who break their collective necks to take advantage of the set-asides.

I'm not sure how this applies to consulting, but most states will give you breaks if you are starting or operating a business as a "minority" or "woman". That rang true for our family....who was white and did NOT get any of the benfits Washington State was passing out to Asians, Blacks, and everyone else that wasn't white.

Any large business entity doing business with the Fed Gov must submit a Small Business Plan with goals to set aside procurements for small disadvantaged businesses as outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulations set down by the SBA, I used to write these plans for our company as a Small Business Liaison Officer. I commend you and the other poster on here for doing it on your own, but the fact remains there are programs out there mandated by the Federal Government that give procurement preference to minorities. I am not saying it is wrong in any way, my only issue has been that the statistics they use for minorities are based on national figures, not geographical areas. For example, San Antonio...dominantly Hispanic, but according to the SBA, who only looks at the national percentages, they are a minority and can therefore get assistance where non-minorities cannot. Well, gotta run...hope these facts will clarify things for y'all...will catch up with you tommorrow...have a good fight....ummmmm....I mean, night, LOL!

P.S. If you are serious about wanting assistance, please contact the SBA

Just got home, wanted to follow up by stating that the SBA regulations are mandatory, we are audited every year on our "outreach programs" to minority businesses (we have to have certifications from each business we deal with on file for their review) and compliance with our stated goals. A non-compliance rating will cost us thousands of dollars in fines and/or disbarment from Federal contracts. A very expensive program to maintain, but if it will help some minorities to get beyond the Jesse Jackson imposed "victim" mentality by exposing them to the opportunities available to them to improve their lives, I feel it is worth every penny. He seems to be losing steam and there are many new minority spokespersons that are making real changes in minority communities, most of whom have pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps as you have done. I cheer them on!