Honor Indian Treaties - Get Involved

http://www.honorindiantreaties.com/act/ ^

[SheLion]

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Get Involved

New York State wants to break the law.

Governor Pataki has already called it unconstitutional.

And yet, it’s been adopted for the 2003-04 budget.

It’s a provision that calls for the State Department of Taxation and Finance to collect tax on the sale of tobacco and gasoline on Native American territories. The state’s unconstitutional action will cause over 1,000 Indians and non-Indians to lose their jobs, consumer prices to rise and businesses to close.

Tell Governor Pataki to honor the supreme law of the land. Tell him that to break centuries old treaties would be to break the law.

Click on the link below to send an email message to Governor Pataki.

Because it’s wrong.

Because it’s not fair.

Because you won’t let it happen.

Contact the Governor:

Call Governor Pataki at 518-474-7516 or send him an email message by visiting his web site (http://www.state.ny.us/governor/) and clicking on "Contact the Governor."

If you wish to contact other state representatives, visit the state Assembly home page (http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/) or the state Senate home page (http://www.senate.state.ny.us/).

We are also encouraging supporters to send letters to the editors of the daily newspapers in New York state. Links to most of the state's media outlets are on a web site called the Empire Page (http://www.empirepage.com/medialinks.html).

Sample Message:
If you wish, copy the text below and paste it into your message:

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This web site is sponsored by the Seneca Nation of Indians

 

[Arkinsaw]

Pointing out the unfairness of treating people differently based on their ethnicity is hardly absurd. Are you an affirmative action supporter?

It is absurd to hear you whine that Indians have somehow gotten a better shake and that its somehow unfair to you and yours. Anyone who has the slightest concept of history ought to be able to recognize how absurd it is to hear someone complaining about how the Indians have gotten favorable treatment.

If you have a problem with Indian sovereignty then you should get yourself a Constitution more to your liking. Good luck.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

No. Only on location because it is assumed that the person you are voting for will represent you.

However no matter where you live the tribal representative can not represent you if you are not a member of the tribe. He can't, it isn't possible. And since he can not represent you then you may not vote for him anymore then I can vote for a representative from another state.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

He shoots...he scores. : )

[eleni121]

In fairness to Gov. Pataki (R), he claims today that he vetoed the taxation of reservation sales but that he is forced to uphold the law as it was passed by the State Assembly controlled by the Demorats.

[VermiciousKnid]

The Assembly may be controlled by Democrats, but what of the Senate? The NY Senate is allegedly controlled by the GOP. So far, I have seen no evidence that any actual Republicans are currently in the NY Senate. RINOs? Yes. Republicans? WHERE ARE THEY??

Regards,

[Henrietta]

"Hey, if you are free to make assumptions, then so am I."

I was not aware that I made any assumptions about you. Cite, please.

[Henrietta]

So I gather your answer is yes, you are an affirmative action supporter, and you support a racial spoils system. Pathetic.

[Arkinsaw]

So I gather your answer is yes, you are an affirmative action supporter, and you support a racial spoils system. Pathetic.

Go beat on your straw man somewhere else. If you can't recognize the difference between constitutional treaty obligations and affirmative action then you have hopelessly brainwashed yourself.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, here is a pretty big assumption you have made -

Yeah, Indians have been leading the fight for our Constitutional freedoms, all right! It seems to me that the only time Indians as a group are interested in the Constitution is when their treaty rights are at stake, and to hell with that document otherwise.

But hey, whatever...

[Henrietta]

Gee, I guess I don't understand the difference between unconstitutional affirmative action and a treaty that violates the same equal protection rights owed to each of us under that same document. Maybe you could explain it to me.

Congress has the right to make treaties, I agree. But it's high time to "renegotiate" those that discriminate against certain people on the basis of their ethnicity.

You sound like you are hopeless brainwashed; "Indians good, whitey bad." Just keep repeating....

[Henrietta]

Exactly, Chad...whatever. Treaty rights uber alles, and to hell with the rest of the Constitution, as long as we can continue to build casinos wherever we please!

[Edit35]

It's time the Indian Nation, whether in NY or elsewhere, stopped pretending they are not part of American society.

After all, the Indians are perfectly able to enjoy the bounty and protection offered by American society, by the American military, and they should be willing to pay taxes the same as everyone else.

If the Indians were still clinging to their old ways, living out in the country in a teepee and eating buffalo as a means of rejecting United States sovereignty, then maybe I could understand them trying to remain separate.

But this treaty business is simply a charade, an effort to keep all the casino profits and tobacco profits that, if they were any other ethnicity, they would have to pay.

[Chad Fairbanks]

No, see, the ENTIRE constitution is important, not just the parts YOU happen to agree with.

So get over it already.

[Arkinsaw]

Maybe you could explain it to me.

I'd have better luck explaining it to a brick wall.

[Henrietta]

Yes, that's exactly my point...maybe if Indians as a group stood up for the parts of the Constitution that don't directly affect their pocketbooks, they'd get a little more sympathy for the state of their treaty rights.

But they don't, so it appears as if the only concern that Indians have for the Constitution revolves around MONEY, and most people don't have a lot of respect for such an unprincipled stance.

[Henrietta]

Gee, guess that means you CAN'T explain it. I thought as much!

[B Knotts]

It's quite odd to see "conservatives" arguing against tribal sovereignty on the grounds that Indians don't pay enough taxes, isn't it?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Yes, that's exactly my point...maybe if Indians as a group stood up for the parts of the Constitution that don't directly affect their pocketbooks, they'd get a little more sympathy for the state of their treaty rights.

Bulls**t. The states have been trying to destroy treaty rights for over 100 years - all easily documented and verifiable. So that doesn't fly. Nice try, though.

But they don't, so it appears as if the only concern that Indians have for the Constitution revolves around MONEY, and most people don't have a lot of respect for such an unprincipled stance.

You sure make a lot of assumptions, and they all appear to be based on ignorance and hatred. It doesn't revolve around money, it revolves around survival of a people. But, you wouldn't understand. AS I said: Ignorance.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Yes. Yes it is.

[Henrietta]

"It's time the Indian Nation, whether in NY or elsewhere, stopped pretending they are not part of American society.

After all, the Indians are perfectly able to enjoy the bounty and protection offered by American society, by the American military, and they should be willing to pay taxes the same as everyone else.

If the Indians were still clinging to their old ways, living out in the country in a teepee and eating buffalo as a means of rejecting United States sovereignty, then maybe I could understand them trying to remain separate.

But this treaty business is simply a charade, an effort to keep all the casino profits and tobacco profits that, if they were any other ethnicity, they would have to pay. "


Exactly. This is what we've all been trying to explain to Arkinsaw and Fairbanks, but they Just Don't Get It. It's all about money, and not about anything else. It's about whining, attempting to make Euro-Americans feel guilty about the fact that we won the wars and conquered the land.