I happen to be a Dakota Sioux (enrollment # 347-00001847). I'm not a member of either of the tribes at Prairie Island or Shakopee, whose members each receive about a million dollars a year in gaming proceeds, but I know a little bit about Indian gaming.

I have friends from Red Lake and other places up north who are barely surviving this winter. Since my oh-so-spiritual brothers from these tribes can't seem to find it in their hearts to share their wealth with their relatives up north (other than an occasional loan), a solution exists that would enable the poorer tribes to receive proceeds, not from a casino 200 miles from nowhere that no one from the cities visits, but from a casino in the metro area that would actually have a chance to generate some revenue for them.

I understand why the Sioux aren't interested in helping the Chippewa up north (no need to explain if you're Indian). I'd like to say that I don't understand why democrats in the legislature, who allegedly are for helping poor people, approve of the plan to open a state-run casino in the metro area, and yes, possibly St. Paul, to alleviate the overwhelming poverty up north. I'd LIKE to say I don't understand why, but of course I do. We all do. And it sickens me beyond belief. Why is it always up to the republicans to take the side of the minority communities in this society?

Rather than having a handful of self-appointed social engineers running this city, why don't we put things like smoking in bars, casino gambling on the river (and I suppose blowing your nose in public if this trend continues), on the ballot? Let the people (the market) decide.


Dennis Tester Mac-Groveland


----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Thune" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 11:30 PM
Subject: Re: [StPaul] Kelly pushing Gambling for Revenue Stream



The idea that it takes a casino to balance the city budget is a solution
in search of a problem which will only generate more problems.
While we have not seen anything specific there is no doubt that this
concept is being discussed seriously at high levels.
This is a wrong headed idea on so many levels that it should be d.o.a.

dave thune
city councilmember, st. paul


Eva Young <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 01/25/05 10:12 PM >>>
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has made no secret of his desire to
find a way to tap in to casino gambling money, and it
seems St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly wants a piece of the
pie, too.

But how aggressively Kelly is going after it is a
matter of intense speculation as Pawlenty prepares to
announce his budget plan today.

"It's not a secret that for the last three years there
have been discussions about bringing some form of
gambling to St. Paul, whether that comes in the form
of a card room, a riverboat or an actual casino," said
St. Paul Deputy Mayor Dennis Flaherty.

But Flaherty said firmly on Monday that no formal
gaming proposal exists and none has been "vetted"
through any process.

But Kelly clearly is interested in bringing gambling
to St. Paul.

"The mayor would view a proposal such as that as an
economic development proposal," Flaherty said, "and I
think he would look at it as an entertainment venue."

Council President Kathy Lantry said she is appalled by
the notion.

"My initial reaction to gambling in downtown St. Paul
is a big fat 'No,' " she said. "It just doesn't seem
like the image we've worked so hard to build of St.
Paul as a historic, family-friendly town."

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5203236.html

This running government on gambling $ is just
bizzarre.

=====
Eva Young
Near North
Minneapolis
Blogs:
   http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
   http://www.outletradio.com
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