Indian country happy with Obama efforts

Bob B.
Rosholt, SD     11/04/2009 4:18 PM

Kerry::: Omitting the few tribes with profitable casinos. In Indian country, after a couple hundred years of abuse and neglect, one does not need to travel far to see to see the destruction of a people who were self supporting. . Look around,,... wait..... the prevailing attitude is,, look away,,,,,,, from the poverty, hopelessness, the alcoholism, the drug addiction, lack of respect for elders,the criminal acts where there is little or no law enforcement. Total disrespect for spirituality. Consider the epidemics of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The drug cartels didn't have to look far to find vast areas with little or no law enforcement. In Indian country there is great many people trying their best to turn things around. It really doesn't make any difference if the democrats or republicans are in power.. Anything that might or might not happen is too little and much much to late. The really sad part is, beliefs that are not factual, and the total indifference to American citizens living in what can be compared to third world circumstances..

Report a Violation

Bob B.
Rosholt, SD     11/04/2009 4:15 PM

Kerry::: Omitting the few tribes with profitable casinos. In Indian country, after a couple hundred years of abuse and neglect, one does not need to travel far to see to see the destruction of a people who were self supporting. . Look around,,... wait..... the prevailing attitude is,, look away,,,,,,, from the poverty, hopelessness, the alcoholism, the drug addiction, lack of respect for elders,the criminal acts where there is little or no law enforcement. Total disrespect for spirituality. Consider the epidemics of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The drug cartels didn't have to look far to find vast areas with little or no law enforcement. In Indian country there is great many people trying their best to turn things around. It really doesn't make any difference if the democrats or republicans are in power.. Anything that might or might not happen is too little and much much to late. The really sad part is, beliefs that are not factual, and the total indifference to American citizens living in what can be compared to third world circumstances..

Report a Violation

larry l.
Alexandria, MN     11/04/2009 12:06 AM

I think the controversary really picked up when they were allowed to fish during any season, and for any fish they wanted. And then Skip Humphrey gave them a lifetime gambling license. Guess I should clarify I'm talking about Minnesota. (I'm sure the name Skip Humphrey was a good clue!)

Report a Violation

b.a. c.
Osakis, MN     11/03/2009 4:44 PM

Both, Larry. There's many smaller tribes that don't have reservations. Something like 60 per cent of the Native Americans living in this country don't. Some tribes have more than one reservation also, like the Dakotah, Lakotah, and others. Reservations are 'soveriegn' to the extent the federal government allows. While they can make thier own laws and have tribal police, any major crime is prosecuted by the federal government. What I get from the article is that our government is working to honor the treaties that we made with the N.A.'s, something that's been controversial for over a century.

Report a Violation

larry l.
Alexandria, MN     11/03/2009 3:01 PM

I'm sure you already guessed "heholden" was meant to be BEHOLDEN.

Report a Violation

larry l.
Alexandria, MN     11/02/2009 11:54 PM

"tribal casinos can pay out pretty much what they want, as far as gambling goes." Kind of makes you wonder just exactly what we even have a gaming commission for, doesn't it? Oh, wait! They're there to protect the casinos from crooks! My bad. How does being "heholden to the feds" account for us paying them every month? I'll have to check a little further regarding reservations. Is it that all Iindians don't have reservations, or all Indians don't LIVE on reservations?

Report a Violation

b.a. c.
Osakis, MN     11/02/2009 5:29 PM

Did a little research today, Larry, and found out that not all tribes have reservations. And, since not all the rules apply, tribal casinos can pay out pretty much what they want, as far as gambling goes. And while 'soveriegn', they still are beholden to the feds. They still pay pretty much all the taxes, except property tax, and that's only if they reside on the 'rez'.

Report a Violation

larry l.
Alexandria, MN     11/01/2009 9:26 PM

If the land isn't good for anything else, I would think a casino would be ideal. From what I've seen, you'd be amazed how far some people will go to gamble if they think one casino is "looser" than another. But the point is: how long do we pay a SOVERIGN government?

Report a Violation

Casey O.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/01/2009 3:46 PM

bac, or comments are almost the same. I had been away from my computer for awhile before I commented. I guess I should have refreshed when I came back and I would have seen your comment :)

Report a Violation

Casey O.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/01/2009 3:43 PM

Not all tribes have casinos. Most tribal lands are scrub ground that isn't really good for anything and located away from areas that have good employment. When there is housing in a city designated for Native Americans, it is in a poverty area with lots of violence and whatever else is there, like drugs and high crime. Those things lead a person to hopelessness.... What is with that title? It looks like this article is about people in India.

Report a Violation