I've always been of the opposite school of thought. I've always wanted race to be more important than it is.
Usually, it has a bit of an effect at first (not much) and by 5th level there's no difference to note between a hafling and a half-orc. But I WANT there to be a real noticeable difference between those two choices for the entire character life. A half-orc should be big and strong, and halfling should not (unless you do some weird stuff).
I'd go further. I'd make the usual modifiers +/- 4. You KNOW that's a half-orc. He's big and strong, whatever career he chooses. The halfling is never going to be as strong as a half-orc.
I think I'm in a minority there. Certainly Monte Cook doesn't agree with me.
Agreed. Race should be as big of a decision as class.