Jackson to Potential Contractors: Get On ‘The List,’ Then We’ll ‘Just Keep Giving You Tax Dollars’
Jackson to Potential Contractors: Get On ‘The List,’ Then We’ll ‘Just Keep Giving You Tax Dollars’
Alphonso Jackson’s story about canceling a government contract because the contractor criticized President Bush was part of a larger effort to “educate” influential minority business leaders about how things “work” in Washington. A new Dallas Business Journal story has more from his controversial April 28 speech:
Before joining the federal government, Jackson said, he was “naïve about how things worked in Washington.”
“After about six months on the job, I had a person come in and say, ‘I don’t think you understand how government works. We don’t bid out anything in government.’ I said, ‘What do you mean? That’s illegal.’ He went on about the lists people get on.
“A lot of blacks and Hispanics don’t know about the lists,” Jackson said. “I didn’t know about this. So we started this process where every time a businessperson of color came in to see me, I’d tell them, ‘Go down to the (minority small business) office and get registered — then I can work with you.
According to Jackson, once you are on the list and get a contract, the money never stops flowing:
Jackson also told the group about a contractor who started with a $50,000 HUD contract in 1992. About six months ago, Jackson said, the agency terminated the contract and redistributed the work to three smaller, disadvantaged firms.
“This is going to astound you,” he said. “When we terminated the contract it was worth $111 million. That’s how government works. Once you get the contract, they just keep giving you tax dollars.”
Jackson stressed that “HUD provides ‘business opportunities for many in this room to get rich,’” adding that “one contract can make you wealthy.” That was the purpose of the speech, to explain to a well-heeled crowd (including former Dallas Cowboys players Roger Staubach and Emmitt Smith) how to rake in cash from the federal government.
It’s not about providing a valuable service at a fair price. It’s about getting on the list, getting the money flowing and making sure you don’t criticize the President. Whether the details of Jackson’s speech were fact or fiction, it’s a grossly irresponsible message and a violation of the public trust.
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45 Responses to “Jackson to Potential Contractors: Get On ‘The List,’ Then We’ll ‘Just Keep Giving You Tax Dollars’”
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Hey! I didn’t sponsor a f*cking infomercial with my TAX DOLLARS!
May 11th, 2006 at 4:32 pmDidn’t Tony Soprano have a scheme securing funds from HUD?
May 11th, 2006 at 4:36 pmAlfonzo Jackson was doddgie back when he hung around Dallas and he still is.
May 11th, 2006 at 4:38 pmHUD-Ho’s Under Diress
May 11th, 2006 at 4:39 pmThis son of a bitch has got to go.
If what he’s saying is true, the whole
damn bunch is as backasswards as the
boy King. God, give me a break! Is really
the shit neo-crooks do, or is he still lying?
The sad fact is, this type of thing has been going on for ages. The only difference is, Jackson got caught. He is still a turd, but I am glad he is a rebublican turd.
May 11th, 2006 at 4:44 pmWhat we’re talking about here is the millions that are held back for minority owned business. That’s what HUD does. If you want to be fair, if you want to end that kind of uncononstitutional corruption then get rid of all racially based or sexually based set-asides. Stop affirmative action and this all goes away. Now, who among you left wing losers is ready to sign up for that campaign?
May 11th, 2006 at 4:46 pmSounds like Jackson’s the only honest person in W’s administration.
May 11th, 2006 at 4:46 pmThis guy had better start running, and don’t look back. Wow, he is STUPID!!!
May 11th, 2006 at 4:49 pmStop affirmative action and this all goes away. Now, who among you left wing losers is ready to sign up for that campaign?
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — May 11, 2006 @ 4:46 pm
Though once necessary, I think this system has become just as corrupt as the whole system itself.
It’s not everyone, but there are minorities who take advantage just as muich as the patty white boys in Washington. It’s not about rewarding or denying on teh basis of skin color or gender - but about rewarding those who earn it.
Unfortunmately, as long as the white male neptotism abounds, this problem is just the other side of the same coin.
May 11th, 2006 at 4:51 pmlocation finder for CITGO GAS
May 11th, 2006 at 4:55 pmPrograms like this are necessary because there are racist bigots in the world. Someone thinks that if we stop “affirmative action programs” that this “all goes away”. Actually, I think if we got rid of all the racist bigots in the world, programs like this wouldn’t be necessary.
May 11th, 2006 at 4:56 pmIRI, how can you say “stop affirmative action and this all goes away.” The contracts aren’t all for minorities. It’s nowhere near that simple, and I’m sure that you realize that. Who among you right wing hypocrites is ready to sign up for the campaign against corruption in this administration?
May 11th, 2006 at 4:56 pmNow, who among you left wing losers is ready to sign up for that campaign?
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — May 11, 2006 @ 4:46 pm
Why would anyone listen to a used car salesman as you IRI?
You have been an apologist for this corrupt bunch of cercopes this whole time.
Screw You IRI, and YOUR Wacko ass Words. None read nor car what you say. I don’t even read your posts, skim right over the convoluted diatribe every time
May 11th, 2006 at 5:00 pmNOTE TO THINK PROGRESS… can you start posting a link that shows the roll call on these controversial votes. If these jerks’ names are published everytime they vote on something like this maybe they will get scared think about their re-election bid!!
May 11th, 2006 at 5:08 pmIsn’t America wonderful? We’ve come full circle to the late nineteenth century with a political machine that’s all about favors and connections. This HUD story exposes the inner workings of government as business and business as government. The Bush legacy:ruining the gravy train for generations to come.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:08 pmActually I would like to stop affirmative action. The reason being is that it prevents people from realizing their full potential, and allows slackers to get degrees, good paying jobs, etc.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:09 pmI don’t even read your posts, skim right over the convoluted diatribe every time
Comment by Self-Serving PIGS
Yeah, sure you skip over. How’s that new AIDS drug Ryan? Still got you grinding your teeth?
May 11th, 2006 at 5:09 pm#14 - That would be super cool. Good idea, meg_mac.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:11 pmaffirmative action vs. corporate welfare
May 11th, 2006 at 5:12 pmhmmmmmm… yea, i’ll take affirmative action…
Actually, I think if we got rid of all the racist bigots in the world, programs like this wouldn’t be necessary.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider
Good luck with that. Next though we’d have to get rid of all the liars because anyone who says he isn’t something of a racist bigot is a liar. Just ax Big Poppa.
IRI, how can you say “stop affirmative action and this all goes away.†The contracts aren’t all for minorities. It’s nowhere near that simple, and I’m sure that you realize that. Who among you right wing hypocrites is ready to sign up for the campaign against corruption in this administration?
Comment by Jane E. Schneider
If you were half smart you’d realize that corruption didn’t start with the republicans and won’t end when they lose the majority. When are you going to get off the party band wagon and address the corruption, thievery and treason that is common to both parties? Take a look at the border situation, neither party wants to stop the flood of God knows what that is coming in this country. Look at the spending, neither party is willing to put a stop to the pork or limit themselves in any way when it comes to their own personal pay, power and political tomfoolery. I’ve had it up to here but this little nit-picking crap that Judd comes up with isn’t ‘even worth discussing compared to the real problems we face as a nation, ALFONSO Jefferson Jackson included. WTF? Who names his kid Alfonso?
May 11th, 2006 at 5:25 pmneither party wants to stop the flood of God knows what that is coming in this country.
They are called people unless you are advocating stopping migratory birds and desert animals…..
May 11th, 2006 at 5:28 pmActually I would like to stop affirmative action. The reason being is that it prevents people from realizing their full potential, and allows slackers to get degrees, good paying jobs, etc.
Comment by For Truth — May 11, 2006 @ 5:09 pm
Only as long as we stop corporate welfare and cronyism at the same time. They are impossible to separate in a civilized society.
But I agree with you that in some regards we just throw money at things to get them out of our sight - rather than design a new system that rewards merit and not birth ‘marks’. Becuase, many (of all demographics) have learned how to play that sympathy card to a fault. Ours.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:28 pm#20 I’ve had it up to here but this little nit-picking crap that Judd comes up with isn’t ‘even worth discussing
I keep hoping that means you will stop discussing.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:33 pmWow, IRI, you’re coherent and moderate when you’re angry ; )
May 11th, 2006 at 5:36 pmI-R-I should be ignored. He simply makes broad, unfounded statements, he is unable to defend his positions. In fact, he more often just avoids addressing those replies that point out the major flaws in his arguments. Let’s not encourage the idiot.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:37 pmThe meds must be working, IRI is almost lucid today.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:37 pmI-RIGHT-I
NOW YOU’VE GONE TOO FAR - YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED. (Unlikely I’m sure because you lack humanity and are definitely suffering some sort of f’ckin psychiatric disorder)
May 11th, 2006 at 5:39 pmLet’s not encourage the idiot.
Comment by And You Thought REAGAN Was Stupid — May 11, 2006 @ 5:37 pm
I have to disagree. I think he’s right on his last post other than calling Jane names and making fun of the name Alfonso. BOTH parties are corrupt. And I’ve been saying it for months, that until the left and right come together in the middle to find compromise and consensus, all these corrupt politicians are doing is screwing us all. We need to find We The People and not We the Left vs. We The Right. We’re fighting the wrong battle when we fight with one another.
I don’t think 6 forums to the Jackson issue are necessarily necessary, but they all point to a bigger picture. Government corruption. We just need to remember that the Democrats aren’t going to save us in November. There was a reason the Republicans declared a need for ethics and change in 1994 and won as a result. We need a better plan guys. And I mean ALL of us.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:47 pmThere is no left and right. It’s a false dichotomy that Republicans have used to win elections, by convincing swing state voters that a bunch of foreign lefties are out to get their children.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:51 pmJust as the Plantation Owners in the South pitted the black slaves against the Irish immigrants to distract from the fact that the Plantation Overseers were abusing people for self-serving profits. And that mentality has been very slow to leave our culture because someone corrupt is always using it as a wedge issue to get votes or distract from their own incorrigible behavior..
May 11th, 2006 at 5:55 pmI-R-I,
She didn;t say “the Republicans”. She said “this administration.” When are you going to stand up with the rest of us and demand accountablility for the illegal actions taken by this entoire administration?
As for liars, well, in my experience, people who are liberal in their thinking tend to want the truth to be known, while people who are conservative in their thinking tend to view the truth as their enemy, something to be avoided. So if we were to get rid of all the liars (something to which I am not opposed), then it would mean getting rid of a lot of conservative-minded people. (Say goodbye to Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, folks!)
We don’t support each and every Democrat. We support the good ones, the ones who care about people. We all want all corrupt politicans out of Washington, not just the Republicans. But right now the Republicans are ion charge, and they are the ones who decide which bills get voted on and who gets what money. Democrats have no say in any of that. So to the extent that our current government is corrupt, it is primarily corrupt Republicans. (I did say “primarily”. There are some bad Democrats out there, and they should go to jail, too. ut they aren’t in power, so they’re not abusing that power.)
May 11th, 2006 at 6:08 pmWhile I agree that both parties are corrupt, those cute little ethical reforms that the republicans in power just proposed are total bullshit. If the current ruling party whome the lobbyists are courting would help to pass real ethics reforms, that would be great. Right now, I’ll be happy to clean up THIS administration. One cannot deny that they are not exactly setting the best example for ethics. America is supposed to be the moral leader of the world, right? Then start at the top.
May 11th, 2006 at 6:08 pmII’m no expert in federal contracting, but I do know that Jackson’s depiction is misleading at best. In typical republican form, he presents only that part of the story that fits his purposes at the moment.
May 11th, 2006 at 6:09 pmI have 2 questions.
1. why is this idiot still head of HUD ?
2. What drugs are IRI taking to make him so delusional?
The minute the first story broke, any president with any morals at all would have fired this moron.
oh, yeah, we have the Chimp for pResident
May 11th, 2006 at 6:21 pmThis specific comment is only peripheral to the Jackson story, but since Jackson equated the issue of “minority” status to getting contracts, it’s sort of interesting that a very well-respected, well-educated (Black) person such as Lucretia A. Pearce hooked up with Mr. 69-page-long-rap-sheet Chris D Baker, of Shirlington Limousine (Cunningham/MZM/Wilkes connected), recently in the news about contract award scandals.
May 11th, 2006 at 9:53 pmI think there should be thought an consideration about minority status contracting. It would be nice to see an independent study on how it is working and if it is effective in the goal of supporting minority owned businesses.
Americans have gotten to complacent about corruption. People do not bat an eye when told that the huge fees paid for political “dinners” etc. are not buying votes, they are buying…”access.”
May 11th, 2006 at 11:30 pmAmericans are complacent about the economy and governments role in the economy. This HUD / Jackson story is one of how many stories about financial corruption and mismanagement. Most Americans are not paying attention to these… details. Has anyone noticed that there are no longer news magazines at the grocery checkouts?
I hope that the Shirlington Limousine story makes it big. Perhaps the sex angle will get the attention of Americans.
Is there a transcript from the speach, or was it caught on video? It is important to have a factual, credible basis for outrage.
May 11th, 2006 at 11:38 pmWhen did HUD’s director grow so
May 12th, 2006 at 3:35 amLike a third-rate mafioso?
You’ll go swimming where the swans go
If you piss off Don Alphonso.
Say his capo’s not a pillar –
He’ll become your contract killer.
IRI
First off, this is an issue of one of Bush’s appointees playing political favourites. It is every bit as corrupt at the guy taking bribes, and as a lot of people have said, hints at the fact that a bribe may have been asked for. It isn’t a Affirmitive action issue, it is a corrupt administration issue.
That said, I agree that Affirmative action is wrong, it is basically a protection of group rights, and doesn’t work besides. In South Africa we have a fair amount of Affirmative action going on, and empowerment deals, about all they have resulted in is a small minority of rich black guys getting richer while the rest continue to live in poverty.
May 12th, 2006 at 8:18 am“Whether the details of Jackson’s speech were fact or fiction, it’s a grossly irresponsible message and a violation of the public trust.”
So are all the misrepresentations and outright lies of the Democratic party but nobody seems to mind that.
May 12th, 2006 at 8:34 amSucks, don’t it IRI? Check out Fukiyama’s book and you’ll see where you neocons went wrong. Very insightful.
May 12th, 2006 at 9:05 amI RIGHT I…. U WRONG U….
Click on this and see what your Republican sickos do on their spare time. Actually not on their spare time, some do it right in their offices and pay for it with your donations… Truths not lies… Read all the way to the bottom…
http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Moral_Values
May 12th, 2006 at 1:05 pm[…] discussed the joy of receiving federal contracts, stating, “Once you get the contract, they just keep giving you tax dollars.” According to HUD’s Inspector General, Jackson ” had advised senior staff, to […]
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