Blackwater received millions in small business contracts — but it’s not a small business.
Blackwater received millions in small business contracts — but it’s not a small business.
An audit by the Inspector General of the Small Business Administration found that private security firm Blackwater “obtained dozens of small business contracts worth more than $110 million even though” the company “may have exceeded size limits for a small business”:
The Inspector General of the Small Business Administration said Blackwater, based in Moyock, N.C., obtained 39 contracts set aside for small businesses from 2005 through 2007. Of these, 32 contracts worth $2.1 million were set aside for companies with annual revenues of $6.5 million or less.
Blackwater’s revenues have exceeded $200 million each of those years, according to federal contracting data.
The report said that Blackwater “may have improperly classified Blackwater guards in Iraq and Afghanistan as independent contractors rather than employees.” It’s a tactic other private contractors have used to avoid paying taxes.
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Your deficit dollars at work!
July 28th, 2008 at 10:51 pmIt chills my blood when I realize these scum have a huge, armed, force at their command. And they aren’t even employees? How can they be allowed to issue automatic weapons to “contractors”?
July 28th, 2008 at 10:54 pmWanna bet Blackwater’s Prince is one of those tax cheats that was just revealed?
If so, his whole enterprise should be prosecuted under RICO.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:55 pmWhat would you expect from the Wal-Mart of mercenaries? They’re not employees they’re associates.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:57 pmNevar, I want my money back!
On a related note, in all the talk about troop withdrawal, I haven’t once heard any politician or pundit mention a withdrawal of Blackwater’s “independent” army. Will they get out of Iraq, too, and on what ‘timetable’?
July 28th, 2008 at 10:59 pmThis is all about our impeccable moral Gov. and it’s holding the highest moral standards to the way it lets out contracts. Blackwater got them by bidding (roughly a year ago) when it had a category that it obtained a year or two previously. It probably still has that small business category qualification today – maybe next year they’ll loose it.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:03 pmJane E. Schneider Says:
On a related note, in all the talk about troop withdrawal, I haven’t once heard any politician or pundit mention a withdrawal of Blackwater’s “independent” army. Will they get out of Iraq, too, and on what ‘timetable’?
July 28th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
And who’s going to disarm them?
July 28th, 2008 at 11:05 pmPete, thanks for the extra chill. :( Not that my mind wasn’t wandering in that direction anyway…
July 28th, 2008 at 11:08 pmWhy this surprises anyone coming from the most corrupt administration in our lifetimes.
Sorry for the OT here, but this has me all bent out of shape.
On Friday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill to rein in speculation in the oil markets. Republicans want offshore drilling and nuclear power. This took place at the end of a business day on a Friday. DKos and FDL also picked it up. I am sorely disappointed that this story is not getting any legs throughout most of the blogosphere or through the media (though I am not at all surprised there). Please, help get this information out.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pmThis is the GOP shell game when they talk about tax breaks for small businesses and helping them off…they don’t mean the Mom and Pop store, they mean corporations…small business is a code word for corporations…
July 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pmIt is not small business. Eric Prince is loaded. And they have murdered people in Iraq. And the State Department says they cannot be touched.
They are the worlds largest private army. If that doesn’t scare you then I don’t know what will. And they are here, doing private stuff. Being paid by private entities. Ooooh.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:19 pmWow, how many nefarious themes can you pack into one post?
1. The myth of the always more efficient private sector (recall Eric Prince not wanting to share financial information, i.e. profits, with his largest customer)
2. The myth of the ethical private sector (contractor status to avoid paying SS & Medicare taxes)
3. The Bush administration is looking out for small business, the economic engine of our economy
4. The Bush administration runs an open, transparent and accountable executive function
Bush is a stooge for big corporate America.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:26 pm“Create private army accountable only to Der Führer” is on the list of “Top 5 things to do to create a fascist dictatorship.”
July 28th, 2008 at 11:26 pmawful people helping more awful people. When will the good guys prevail?
July 28th, 2008 at 11:26 pmBlackwater is a danger to our national security, and is the most aptly named organizations ever.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:29 pmBlackwater and outfits like it should be outlawed. Since when is the US in the business of mercenary forces.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:30 pmOther small companies garnering SBA contracts:
Home Depot
John Deere
Weyerhaeuser
Waste Management
Booz Allen Hamilton (soon to be owned by The Carlyle Group)
Sprint Communications Company
Perot Systems Government Services
Hewlett Packard Co.
http://peureport.blogspot.com/2008/07/bush-administrations-definition-of.html
July 28th, 2008 at 11:30 pmThe ATF needs to investigate the hell out of Blackwater and their “contractors” when they are on our soil. My guess, or should I say greatest fear? An independent, well-armed militia with plenty of grudges, fanatical loyalties and a very dangerous agenda.
Now, I’ll take off my tinfoil hat because it’s ruining my hair!
PEACE
July 28th, 2008 at 11:30 pmHOME DEPOT also. And they ain’t exactly small business.
Under Reagan we heard endlessly how he was for small businesses—but there were always record numbers of small business bankruptcies.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:32 pmbeaten to the punch by stateofthedivision. arrrrgh
July 28th, 2008 at 11:34 pmMsJ, thank you so much for spelling “rein” correctly. I hate seeing “reign”, but I’m picky that way.
Spencer’s mom, thanks for scaring me then making me laugh!
July 28th, 2008 at 11:34 pmRepublicans love to rant about small government as if it’s some kind of principled position but it’s this kind of corruption that is always the result when they’re in control.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
July 28th, 2008 at 11:36 pmstateofthedivision, that is OBSCENE! It’s amazing living in bazarroworld. HTF did we get here? HTF do we get out??
And Jane, reign is what we’re stuck with with Bush. Reminds me of the Sheriff of Nottingham (sorry, I am addicted to Robin Hood BBC…sorta slipped out).
And you’re welcome. :)
July 28th, 2008 at 11:43 pm“private contractors have used to avoid paying taxes.”
How very Conservative Republic American of them…cheat on their taxes…well…IOKIYAR.
Bush/Cheney and their WAR PROFITING pals are such shining examples of Repukian Fascist Mafia Values.
And of course the minor Mafia (trolls) will defend them…..they are all scum.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:00 amBlackwater? Screwing the Treasury out of illegal small business loans? Dodging taxes by ‘mistaking’ employees for independent contractors? (Who do you think will have to pay for THAT one? Hint: either the employees OR the independent contractors)
Blackwater? Acting as if it were the Lord of the Universe?
Nobody could have…you know.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:02 amHow very Conservative Republic American of them…cheat on their taxes…
Bucky Boy, I’m so old, I remember when conservatives complained that OTHER people wouldn’t pay their taxes. Since Reagan, anyone who avoids, evades or simply doesn’t pay their taxes is a hero.
Ever heard the old song from “Who’s Next”? “Mobile”?
Watch the po-lice and the tax man miss me
I’m Mobile!
It was great being a radical hippie. While it lasted.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:05 am(sorry, I am addicted to Robin Hood BBC…sorta slipped out).
July 28th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
There are worse things to be addicted to. But, lately, I’m more reminded of some of Steve Martin’s work where he babbles through 20 minutes of “I forgots” and ends with “excuuuuuse meeeeee!” as though he is absolved.
However, with Bushco, we won’t ever get to the punchline. The key players will never admit anything. Even if they spend their final moments dancing on a rope.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:07 amThis day in history reminds us, it CAN happen here.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:38 amhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army
.
Dear T.P.
Something seems to be wrong with your server. Today I read FIVE articles about a blond bimbo who broke the law and yet I have to read one single IOTA of data regarding the NON-Impeachment impeachment hearings that lasted SIX hours and can be reviewed for free from C-Span about possible MURDER charges against the Highest Officials of the U.S. Administration.
WHY NO PEEP about events that hold much potential for the future of the Republic? Why keep your viewers as informed as the average MSM ECHO chamber? What’s the purpose of saying your FOR accountability yet turn a blind eye to actions of accountability for the most criminal U.S. Administration… E V E R!?
Tuesday will be day number FIVE without a peep.
Please catch up and stop with the hack attacks on a blond bimbo. She was only following orders. Lets talk about the damn elephant for a change… would ya?
Sorry for the rant, however T.P. is missing the big picture in favor of the insignificant fry.
.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:15 amWhy would stealing and lying mean anything to chimpy’s murderous goon squad?
July 29th, 2008 at 1:35 amT.P. is missing the big picture in favor of the insignificant fry.
I wholly concur.
Boo TP, your fluff is worse than your bite.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:08 amA message to all,
Please disregard the 900lb gorilla in our midst…
July 29th, 2008 at 2:09 amIf Blackwater is breaking the tax laws, than why doesn’t the IRS go after them…Hmm….I wonder why they don’t. And I wonder why I would be willing to bet my bottom dollar that they won’t investigate Blackwater.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:26 amOpen Thread?
A question neither Obama or McCain will ever face… WHY?
.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:48 am“Black water”, Texas tea, black gold, oil….all benefiting from the Bush Regime. This is why Blackwater is able to suck up all the contracts over in Iraq. Their name refers to oil. See?
July 29th, 2008 at 7:32 amNever fear neocons! Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is on the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, so therefore, between she and Joe Lieberman no oversight will be done and Blackwater will continue to break the law. They love George Bush.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:35 amYou’re concerned with “plagarizing” when it’s Blackwater who is getting all these small contracts in addition to the large ones and isn’t paying the taxes they should be? Wow! I’m sorry, but you need to refocus this morning.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:48 amProsecute!
July 29th, 2008 at 7:55 amRight wingers are such scared sissies that they support a private GANG. That is what these thugs are: a GANG.
Gangs provide protection for people that are too scared to stand up for themselves. That is why the right wing cowards love them so much.
Why are right wingers such sissies?
July 29th, 2008 at 7:58 amAww, someone call a waaambulance for today’s cowardly troll: ’sound progress’
Poor little guy is so scared of brown people in caves that he supports the dismantling of our Constitution.
What a sissy.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:21 am#34 Max-1
The broadcast media and the telecoms are financially and philosophically tied to the GOP and the Bush administration (and to each other) and as such have acted as enablers and co-conspirators in the ongoing destruction of the Constitution and its democratic function for a decade, therefore it is not in their interests to ask either Obama or McCain about the state of democracy and the Constitution.
Both candidates need the MSM and corporate dollars to win the election.
McCain wouldn’t dream of raising the subject as he represents the party that has destroyed the Constitution and he has to demur and deflect if questioned on the matter.
Obama won’t raise the subject as he needs the MSM to make the most of his campaign and he too will demur and deflect if questioned.
The public’s biggest concern appears to be the economy, to which the expense of the Iraq occupation is understood to be closely tied and these facts along with war weariness make the Constitutional issues, even if appreciated by a significant proportion of voters, a low priority for both the public and the candidates—it appears too esoteric at the moment.
Until we have a new President who can override Bush’s signing statements and issue new directives, a new and professional (rather than a partisan) DOJ at the least then the restoration of the Constitution is somewhat of a moot electoral issue.
Of course it’s exactly the kind of complacency I’ve expressed in the paragraph immediately above that has led to the steady shredding of our civil and legal rights and the checks and balances on power that have brought us to the brink of a full blown totalitarian system and that terrible fact SHOULD make this issue at least as important as the economy and Iraq (it is in fact absolutely the BIGGEST issue of all).
McCain is the likely candidate to address the constitutional crisis.
If Bob Barr can get on at least one of the debates he would do a great service to this nation to relate the damage done to our Constitution to whichever issue he is being questioned on, whenever possible, because the media inquisitors sure won’t bring it up and Obama is unlikely initiate such a discussion.
Barr will of course be shut-out as much as possible and he’ll understandably be tempted (or forced) to promote the rest of his platform to the detriment of this one huge issue.
I don’t want to take it on faith that Obama will take steps to restore the Constitution, he does need to publicly address the issue before the election. As Barr will have no power in 2009 and as McCain won’t provide a coherent response, Obama is the only candidate worth asking about this issue and the ones to do the asking are not Barr or the pundits, but the rest of us, and we shouldn’t forget to demand answers from Congress critters and Senators either.
After all if we don’t make the effort, who will?
July 29th, 2008 at 8:40 amThis has Cheney’s fingerprints all over it. Just another saga from the corruption-r-us gang. Yet, nobody lands in jail from any of this. What is wrong with this picture and what it means going forward. Obviously, more corruption.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:48 amI have one word to say: fraud.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:27 pm