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It's time to end the ridiculous fiction that Native Americans are citizens of mini-nations within the United States. It's been good for nobody; the reservations are either dirt-poor and decrepit, where there is no gambling, or corrupt and dependent on human decadence, where there is gambling. Take the reservation lands and property and distribute them to the members of the tribes; calculate the amortized monetary value of any remaining US government obligations, and share them likewise, and remove any special legal status from the tribes. If they want to continue to associate as tribal organizations, that's their right as free citizens of the United States.

It's time to end the ridiculous fiction that Native Americans are citizens of mini-nations within the United States. It's been good for nobody; the reservations are either dirt-poor and decrepit, where there is no gambling, or corrupt and dependent on human decadence, where there is gambling. Take the reservation lands and property and distribute them to the members of the tribes; calculate the amortized monetary value of any remaining US government obligations, and share them likewise, and remove any special legal status from the tribes. If they want to continue to associate as tribal organizations, that's their right as free citizens of the United States.

I love your idea. It would work for them much better. Unfortunately, that was not the deal and not what the treaties call for and we cannot unilaterally change the terms and maintain our own integrity.

It's time to end the ridiculous fiction that Native Americans are citizens of mini-nations within the United States.

I agree. I have no problem with the reservations being held as some kind of tribal trust or corporation, I don't even care about the tax issue, or the gambling issue, it is the fictional sovereignty that concerns me. That needs to be dealt with and done away with.

The situation of each tribe should be examined fairly, and if any further reparations need to be paid, fine, although I doubt that it should be necessary, or if so in what form. We have treaty obligations but these should simply be bought out and disposed of, as you suggest.

The U.S. should not break treaties with the tribes.

I do not like the setup per say - but breaking treaties is not the solution. These treaties were made in exchange for something the U.S. wanted and got - if the deal doesn't look good now - well.... hindsight's 20/20.

Great idea. If only we had to sense to do it. I'm sick of the is/not is "sovereign nation" game the tribes get to play. They are sovereign when it suits them especially the fraudulent gaming tribes like the Mashantucket Pequot in Connecticut. It's members are barely Indians (1/32 blood etc.) and were not even a federally recognized tribe 20 years ago. The "tribal members" cannot recount a lick of Mashantucket Pequot culture.

I agree with your assessment long range, but for the fact that Pataki/NYS has a nerve trying to get this passed while refusing to cut bloated social welfare programs in the state.

I say cut the welfare giveaways and leave the reservations alone. The state has lots more serious issues to deal with than the reservations. In fact, the Senecas did him/NYS a favor when they agreed to open a casino in Niagara Falls NY where for years the only sound heard (besides the falls) was people packing up and leaving or driving across to Ontario to do their gambling to the tune of 100 milion exiting the state per month.

Lots of people in Western NY have more sympathy for the Senecas than for RINO Pataki and the disgusting Democrats. Why? Casino jobs and lower prices for gas and cigarettes. The state has done nothing but tax everyone to death.

America has never honored their treaties, but natives don't believe or accept any govt contracts either. Get everything off whitey while ya can. Govt has ruined natives with welfare, people lack dreams, visions, or a future.

Live a year as the only white boy in a village and you begin to understand.

Problem is if they distribute tribal lands; it will all end up in the hands of white people within a few years. At least they have the land if it remains collectively owned.

The big thing natives have going for them is their belief that they are sovereign from America. To them in their village it doesn't matter a hill of beans what we think; only how they see themselves. Just imagine if Americans stood together on various issues; our govt would be more responsible.

You wrote:

"It's been good for nobody; the reservations are either dirt-poor and decrepit, where there is no gambling, or corrupt and dependent on human decadence, where there is gambling. "

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Brouzho..!!

Well........I happen to be of some Indian blood...And I'm a enrolled member of a American Indian Tribe. I also happen to live on a rez. It's not the rez of my tribe...but another.

It also happens...that most Indians on this rez..are neither dirt-poor or decrepit. It also happens that they aren't anymore or less corrupt or dependent than other forms ( County, City, State, Federal..) of government are.

I would peacefully suggest..that you have painted with a great big broad brush. You might be surprised.....what you actually find, if you were to investigate. Maybe you are only repeating what you have heard. Maybe you only know what is voiced in the media. But then again, maybe your mind is set.

Megwetch,