In a message dated 1/26/2005 9:26:34 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 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. Well, then I assume that what you understand is that there is not that much profit in gambling, and no way to be able to split the profits in the way that the governor suggests and bring in the same amount of revenue that would be lost to the currently successful tribes. So, the governors solution that will cripple the tribes who have run successful metro casinos and make all of the tribes dependent on the handouts from the state (begging each year at the legislature to keep their share and not have it consumed by the state government) is a joke and the classic snake oil salesman giving the Indians a good deal. Tribal sovereignty is an interesting concept. If one believes that we as a nation have an obligation to respect tribal sovereignty, then the state must respect each tribes individual rights and not lump all "Indians" together. There is no obligation on the metro tribes to destroy their own successful business venture to secure a hand out from the governor for the northern tribes. All I learned about Indian gambling, I learned from my old friend Larry Kito who was the first lobbyist for Little Six Casino. I remember well, when they were barely scratching out an existence Larry would talk about how someday they'd be making money on gambling and the fat white guys would come looking for a way to screw the Indians. Larry was right. JMONTOMEPPOF Chuck (my great-grandfather was killed in St. Peter in 1862, during the Sioux Uprising - always use to tell Larry his great-grandfather killed my great-grandfather) Repke _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
