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Arnold may have a winning argument with college students, and McClintock might also with the Indian Tribes issue. My son watched the debate and Schwarzenneger got his attention when Arnold talked about the money the Indians get, but yet they don't pay taxes. He said it was ridiculous that the Indians get free money, and FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION, while everyone else has to work hard for it. With the huge increase in student fees, I think the first candidate out of the block who points out the disparity of opportunity for Indians vs people who have to work hard to pay for an education would be a winner and gain a lot of student votes.

American Indians do not pay federal or state taxes on money earned from tribal enterprises on their tribal land. That money can only be taxed by the tribe. American Indians do not get free college education.. Many tribes who have successful enterprises now pay for their tribal members to go to college, as well as others, such as employees and their dependants. Indians do not get free money. Poor people everywhere qualify for financial aide, and that describes the majority of American Indians.

However, some point to treaty commitments as being free money. I assume that you make payments on your house. You made a contractual agreement with someone to make payments, and you do so not only to keep your house, but because it is right. The United States made many treaty agreements where the tribes were to be paid continually for land that they gave up. This is 'free'?

I'm all for re-negociating the compacts. I told the tribes that getting involed in this recall was stupid and would come to haunt them, and I'm being proved right. They've demonstrated to California that there are many tribes that have just way too much money sitting around, and made a target of themselves. And when they scream bloody murder, people are going to just laugh in their faces.

Remember, this point of view was brought up by my son, not me. The local Indian casino, to my knowledge, does not get taxed on its income from gambling. The casino pays its tribe members 14,000 per month, tax free. That to me, is certainly free money.

If the tribe sends its members to college, and pays for it, that again to me, is a free college education. The Federal Government made its treaties and those treaties have to be honored. The States have negotiated their own deals with the Indian Casinos, and in California at least, they gave away a lot, and got little.

I think the college vote is the potential huge back breaking straw in this election. My point is that this is a argument that can be raised and aimed at college students and their parents in an effort to get votes. And the campaign is in the latter stages and there wouldn't be time for the Indian Casinos to effective counter the issue.

I told the tribes that getting involed in this recall was stupid and would come to haunt them, and I'm being proved right. They've demonstrated to California that there are many tribes that have just way too much money sitting around, and made a target of themselves.

You are SO right! Four million to Bustamante and McClintock campaigns (three and one respectively). My question is what happened to all the needy Indians who could use that money being handed out to candidates!

I'm all for re-negociating the compacts. I told the tribes that getting involed in this recall was stupid and would come to haunt them, and I'm being proved right. They've demonstrated to California that there are many tribes that have just way too much money sitting around, and made a target of themselves.

Check this thread Campaign donation lawsuit challenges Indian sovereignty