Posted on 01/02/2005 1:05:01 PM PST by CedarDave
A visitor to a pueblo ceremonial dance 32 years ago would have found communal water spigots, dilapidated buildings and outhouses. Tourists sometimes called it "quaint."
--snip--
Three decades ago, most New Mexico pueblos relied on natural resource leases, federal money and tourist dollars spent at seasonal ceremonial dances. Per-capita incomes were among the lowest in the United States. Unemployment rates in some cases approached 70 percent.
Thanks to gambling, that landscape is changing. The millions of dollars flowing through tribal casinos are building sewer and water systems, new schools, medical clinics and new homes for New Mexico's gaming tribes.
New Mexico Indian Gaming Association chairman Charlie Dorame said his pueblo, Tesuque, has spent more than $20 million in casino profits in the last few years on infrastructure. Gov. Leonard Armijo of Santa Ana Pueblo said the infrastructure spending is essential. "You can't attract businesses without infrastructure."
--snip--
A common misperception of Indian gaming is that casino profits are distributed directly to tribal members. That doesn't happen in New Mexico. "The (Sandia) Council's main focus is on the community," Sandia Pueblo Gov. Stuwart Paisano said. "There are a lot of associated social problems that just get worse when you hand out cash."
Santa Ana Gov. Armijo said, "We don't want to make our people dependent on gaming money." Dorame said handing out money "really isn't the pueblo way." "We don't weigh success by the amount of money people have in their pocket. It is the success of the community that matters."
Every pueblo leader the Journal interviewed said the tribal government views casino profits like a city or town would view gross receipts and property taxes.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
Paisano is an impressive leader -- he is young, well spoken and comes across as very business oriented in press and TV interviews.
In the article, it is stated that unemployment rates on Indian lands nationally run between 45 and 55 percent. Six of the gaming pueblos (all in the Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos corridor) — Sandia, Isleta, Santa Ana, Taos, San Juan and Pojoaque— have unemployment rates in the single digits. Sandia Pueblo has an unemployment rate of 1 percent, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Its good to see what the indian tribes are able to do with the profits they make by selling addiction to weak people.
I wonder, what if they were to deal some drugs and perhaps take up prostitution as well??
Why not? What is the moral imperative that says it is OK to bring people in to succumb to their greed, and not take advantage of their lust as well?
Hmmm -- don't remember posting that picture with my article. But she doesn't have to ask twice!!
Darn -- The redhat, blue-eyed lady just disappeared!! Must have random FR ads posted with the threads!
My wife is Indian (or Native American if you want to be PC about it) and her tribe in Arizona has had a casino for some time now. Prior to the tribe opening their casino, they were supported overwhelmingly through FedGov grants, etc. (i.e., our tax dollars).
Recently, they moved their health facility from dilapitated trailers that were several decades old (and paid for by our tax dollars) into a beautiful brand new honest to goodness complex - built entirely by casino funds.
Personally, I say let them have the casino's. Then, cut ALL Federal funding of tribal projects.
You understand. :) I wish more people did.
The moral issue was debated and lost in the NM legislature eitht years ago. Whether you support or oppose gaming, it is here to stay in NM. The question is now how do those that make the profits, including State Government, use the money in the best way possible?
Within past 60 days, a new casino opened here in Hobbs. It is mobbed, but hopefully with Texans leaving their money here. I have been there only once (invited on opening day) and have no desire to return anytime soon. It too was debated locally, but eventually local government surcomed to the lure of increased tax receipts from hotels and restaurants that will be built as a result.
Socially, problems from legal gaming and alcohol (and even violent TV/movies) and illegal drugs and prostitution come down to the individual making choices. In a free society I may not make or support those choices, but I respect the right of government to regulate/ban these and ultimately the right of the individual to chose, even if those choices indirectly affect others including family. (BTW, I am not talking about abortion which DIRECTLY affects another human life.)
BUMP!
Oh yeah? Consider this: There's an interesting ideological experiment going on here in Minnesota. Two tribes own casinos here, the Sioux and the Chippewa. The Sioux hand out money directly to tribal members and each member receives over $900,000 a year. Yeah, that's not a typo. The Chippewa take the more collectivist approach and plow the money back into infrastructure, paying for schools, clinics, roads, etc., and no tribal member gets any direct payment but they do get a job opportunity at the casinos.
Guess who has the best environment for doing business, re: roads, other businesses that have sprung up in the area, etc.? The Sioux. With a community of basically multi-millionaires, businesses have flocked to the area to get in on that action, and the state and county have built roads to accommodate the increased traffic.
The collectivist Chippewa operation has been good if you live on the rez, but the business development surrounding it has been virtually non-existent.
Collectivism loses the ideological contest again.
New Mexico Indian Gaming Association chairman Charlie Dorame said his pueblo, Tesuque, has spent more than $20 million in casino profits in the last few years on infrastructure. "That's more money than we received from the federal government since 1976," he said.
I'd rather that individuals (through gambling) pay for these improvements than taxpayers as a whole ante up for them.
The deconstruction of the America of our founders and the rot of our culture accelerates
Legalizing vice... is the dark side of pure capitalism....license the abuse of freedom.. without a moral compass a nation simply steers for the shoals..this is simply mankind's nature
imo
I made my living and supported my wife and two children for ten years working in a casino. Funny part was, things didn't start 'going bad' until I got out of the casino business. I guess I am a low life.
My suggestion to you would be to refrain from discussing issues you obviously know nothing about.
Agreed. It just makes good business sense. The fact of the matter is that the tribes have too much infighting to ever truly do any damage with their casino's. But, they are sovereign nations, so let them do as they will - AND QUIT SPENDING MY TAX DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THEM!
It's not an issue most would want to understand, as they can't get past the addiction and other negative issues surrounding gaming. But when you spend ten years of your life working in a casino (both tribal and non-tribal), you begin to see the light.
They are going to steal with lawyers what was won honorably by the gun....
Even I play golf on Santa Ana Res...
I love it. The 5th hole of 'Star' 9 is tucked up next to the unfinished hotel. I call it the 'Apocalypse Hole' because the hotel is an absolute hulking eyesore of decay.
The Big Chief absconded with 2.3Mil of wampum (from us) and they could never finish the hotel.
When will we learn to stop feeding the dog at the table?
This is one of the reasons tribes will never be successful - that and the fact that they can't get over the infighting amongst themselves long enough to make some really serious headway.
In all reality, if we just give them enough rope, I guarantee they will eventually hang themselves. Let them have their casinos, let them run things the way they want to run them, and quit using my tax dollars to fund them.
Case in point: I worked several years in a casino in So. California, along the banks of Lake Havasu & the Colorado River. The tribe had over 30 miles of shoreline on which to build, and Bally's Gaming saw an opportunity. Bally's paid the tribe $1 million per month for 3-5 months just so the tribe would not consider offers from other gaming companies. Bally's also paid to have surveys done and have complete plans for a gorgeous hotel/casino/water Park/Resort drawn up. The plans were presented to the tribal council who, because of ignorance & infighting, would not finalize plans with Bally. Bally finally wisened up, and backed out. Now no gaming company wants anything to do with them. Morons.
<< Personally, I say let them have the casino's. Then, cut ALL Federal funding of tribal projects. >>
I have another alternative. Declare their land private property to be split among the membership of the tribe, and then make them United States citizens and tell them they are EQUAL to every one else. Let them join society and they won't need hospitals.. we already have them.
An interesting proposal. I've always had a bit of a problem with the whole dual citizenship thing. Unfortunately, many tribal members cannot function outside of the reservation (though I have met and had dealings with some very brilliant tribal members). Still doesn't qualify them for 'special benefits'. Nor does the fact that my ancestors did what they did, 200 YEARS AGO. When will we stop paying a debt that, IMHO, is no longer owed.
The reservation/tribal member mentality & dynamic is an interesting one, that's for sure. The other day I was having a discussion with a native friend of mine, who stated: "The white man brought us the alcohol." To which I replied "And you guys gave us peyote, so I guess we're even." She didn't care for that too much, but let's call a spade a spade here.
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