Republican Congressman Hosts Job Info Session For Women And Minorites

Jillian Bandes | May 29, 2009 2:48 PM

Rep. Randy Forbes is hosting a seminar designed to assist women and minorities in getting government contracts. These contracts are already pre-designated for women and minorities by the federal government, so Forbes is merely trying to inform his constituents (who are female and minority) about the opportunities that already exist; in other words, he's trying to get the women-and-minority-designated contracts to go to women and minorities in

his district.

That's fine. But what have we come to when a Congressman who genuinely supports economic opportunities for all citizens regardless of race or gender feels compelled to host a job seminar that favors special classes of people?

A spokeswoman for the Congressman sportingly says its example of a "low-cost, high-return services that Members of Congress can be providing to their constituents during an economic downturn." She's right, though I don't think it sends a very good message about the Congressman's attitude towards affirmative action in federal contracts. Can't blame him for working the system, anyway.