[Henrietta]

"Not THAT surprising. I mean, it's just treaties with Indians - not tlike we are human beings or anything, the way some people act."

You seem to be taking this discussion awfully personally! Of course we are human beings!

I think many people (myself included) feel that the sovereign immunity and other privileges granted to tribes are just plain unfair. Far from allowing tribes to have land to allow them to maintain some of their original autonomy and lifestyle, "tribal lands" have mostly become, in many cases, "where can we put up a casino next?"

I don't think it's fair that American Indians can be free of US income tax for money earned on the reservation, yet vote in elections. I say, choose whether you want to be an American citizen, or pick whether you want to be an Indian, with all of its attendant perks (free college, tribal dividend payments, etc.).

As for treaties, and honoring the Constitution, it doesn't seem like the state or Federal governments have any respect for our federal constitution. I'm not sure why Indians feel like they should escape the same loss of freedoms that the rest of us face.

[Chad Fairbanks]

You seem to be taking this discussion awfully personally! Of course we are human beings!

Well, ya know, there's only so many hatefilled freepmails and emails I've gotten over the years here that have made it personal. Lucky, many of those types are gone. Not all, though.

I think many people (myself included) feel that the sovereign immunity and other privileges granted to tribes are just plain unfair. Far from allowing tribes to have land to allow them to maintain some of their original autonomy and lifestyle, "tribal lands" have mostly become, in many cases, "where can we put up a casino next?"

Waaaa! You don't like it? Too bad. Treaties were made, the constitution backs them up, and that should be good enough for anyone. Period. You dont' like it? Amend the constitution.

I don't think it's fair that American Indians can be free of US income tax for money earned on the reservation, yet vote in elections. I say, choose whether you want to be an American citizen, or pick whether you want to be an Indian, with all of its attendant perks (free college, tribal dividend payments, etc.).

Well, for one thing, most (as in 90% at least) indians pay federal and state income taxes, so try a different argument. For another thing, Tribal Dividend payments are money paid by corporations to access resources on indian land - for example, when an oil company wants to drill on indian land, they pay a fee and royalties based on agreements. THey pay the money to the feds, who dole it out to the individual tribal members of the appropriate tribe - that is, when they ain't stealing it from us. So don't worry your self over the dividend payments, because it doesn't come out of your pocket, k? AS for the free college, I guess we'll just have to take away all those pell grants and such they give you you white people while we are at it, eh? Since it's "not fair".

As for treaties, and honoring the Constitution, it doesn't seem like the state or Federal governments have any respect for our federal constitution. I'm not sure why Indians feel like they should escape the same loss of freedoms that the rest of us face.

Ahhh... now I get it. Why should we indians enjoy some freedom if you white people are so willing to give away your own? The old "Misery loves company" idea?

[Arkinsaw]

I think many people (myself included) feel that the sovereign immunity and other privileges granted to tribes are just plain unfair.

Well, we all know that the Indians have it so much better than the rest of us and are living it up while we starve. The unfairness to us is just terrible, almost genocide.

[SheLion]

I don't think it's fair that American Indians can be free of US income tax for money earned on the reservation, yet vote in elections. I say, choose whether you want to be an American citizen, or pick whether you want to be an Indian, with all of its attendant perks (free college, tribal dividend payments, etc.).

The are Native AMERICAN Indians.

[CSM]

"I'm not sure why Indians feel like they should escape the same loss of freedoms that the rest of us face."

Why should we support further erosions of personal liberty and freedoms, rather than reverse it and get back to support of the constitution as written? I say rather than continually look for freedoms to steal, our government should give back the freedoms already stolen from everyone!