Eliminate poverty on Indian reservations by eliminating Indian reservations

Opinion Journal ^ | January 27, 2006 | BY JOHN J. MILLER

[Keltik]

The Projects on the Prairie

We can eliminate poverty on Indian reservations by eliminating Indian reservations.

BY JOHN J. MILLER Friday, January 27, 2006

The fallout from the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal has all of Washington atwitter about congressional reform--everything from proposals to restrict travel perks and lunches with lobbyists to a potential shakeup in the Republican House leadership.

A subtheme of the controversy involves not a shakeup but a shakedown--of Indian tribes by Mr. Abramoff, who used casino cash to throw money around town as well as to line his own pockets richly. The common perception is that once again the white man has cheated the red man.

Perhaps a few expressions of sympathy are in order. Yet Indians would benefit much more from their own sweeping reforms. The Abramoff rip-off should be the least of their worries. The time has come to abolish reservations for the good of the people who live on them.

[sockhead]

Norton was automatically substituted in the case for Babbitt when she became Secretary and I am sure we will see a few more substituted Secretaries before the matter is finally, if ever, resolved. The contempt citations are probably related to the production of documents and meeting deadlines set by the court.

[ranmeister77]

What is it with all the racist remarks? For one we are Not "Indians", or "Native Americans". Indians come from India, And Native Americans are White People. We are First Nations people. And the reason there is poverty is because most First Nations People lack education.

[G.Mason]

"All things being relative"

You talking to me?

You talking to me? About my post #11?

Should you be talking to me ... about my post #11, then go take a flying leap at a rolling doughnut!

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

We are First Nations people. And the reason there is poverty is because most First Nations People lack education.

You seem to be literate. And using a computer on the internet instead of smoke signals.

And you are not First Nations. You displaced many waves of people who were here before you. White Europeans (for the most part) are just the latest wave. And if we don't hold it, Mestizos or Chinese may be next. And it is no different from when Walmart runs out the mom & pops. Compete or die.

[will_scalp_you_sioux]

You are one of the only people who at least make a real attempt to make any sense.