[Woodman]

I'm an 1/8th American Indian, would I qualify? I might just have to start shopping at the reservations (on-line or in person).

[muawiyah]

This is New York, not everywhere. The deal is the United States of America fought a Revolutionary War against the Brits (who were otherwise highly popular among the wealthy classes in New York).

To win that War the United States allied itself to the Oneida Indians.

At the conclusion of the war the Oneida were treated as valued allies and given protection under the law against New York.

No Indian lands could be sold in New York unless approved by the tribe.

New York immediately declared the Oneida to be white people, booted them off the Indian lands, and then sold everything off to illegal aliens.

After nearly two centuries the Oneida won a decision at the US Supreme Court that said New York could not do that and authorized the Oneida to buy back a serious chunk of New York ~ or simply seize state assets.

Patterson and his cronies continue to object to the lawful rights of the Oneida. They continue to carry water for the Brits.

So, as you can see, it's not about taxes, it's about being an ally of the United States and fighting in its wars. Patterson and his cronies are on the wrong side.