I saw a comment in another thread about Indian Casino's that made me think and question. Growing up in Oklahoma I know first hand how Indian's operate. I am a bit confused however, as to the legitimacy of it. I mean, think about it, we took their land and all.....170 years ago, so we still need to kiss ass 170 years in the future? I'm not an expert on the subject but here is how it works as far as I see it:
Government gives Indians x amount of land and special privileges in said state. Indians proceed to build Tribe government buildings, infrastructure, turnpikes, casinos, reservations, housing etc etc etc. Tribe funded organizations are also funded (BIA, FUAS, etc). Some money is also given to specific Tribe members.
Now what I'm asking is...why do they need their own government AND a national government? Why are they exempt from taxes and allowed to build Casino's when other people are not? Why are they allowed to use state equipment and employee's to build private roads and turnpikes that the proceed's go back into the Indian Tribe funds. Why are they allowed to open up convince stores, gas stations, markets, smokeshops, casino's, etc, all tax free?
Most people would argue the whole "well we did rape their land and kill them and stuff". Yeah, like almost 170 years ago. Black people used to be enslaved and were raped and killed but they don't see shit from it today, so why do the Indians?
But the thing that confuses me the most is the way most live. I grew up 20 miles from a town that was 90% Native American. They had 4 Casino's right outside town, two smokeshops, a HUGE truckstop and a 10 mile long turnpike. Now you would think with all this money coming in to the tribes, that the tribe members would be pretty much set, but not the case. The area was an absolute dump. The Tribe even came in and built houses, 100's of houses and let tribe members move in for free (let that soak in for a moment). But yet, the place was an absolute ghetto. As a matter of fact, in all of my travels, I am yet to find a bigger dump than Holdenville Oklahoma.
Anyone have any insight, explanations, comments?
Government gives Indians x amount of land and special privileges in said state. Indians proceed to build Tribe government buildings, infrastructure, turnpikes, casinos, reservations, housing etc etc etc. Tribe funded organizations are also funded (BIA, FUAS, etc). Some money is also given to specific Tribe members.
Now what I'm asking is...why do they need their own government AND a national government? Why are they exempt from taxes and allowed to build Casino's when other people are not? Why are they allowed to use state equipment and employee's to build private roads and turnpikes that the proceed's go back into the Indian Tribe funds. Why are they allowed to open up convince stores, gas stations, markets, smokeshops, casino's, etc, all tax free?
Most people would argue the whole "well we did rape their land and kill them and stuff". Yeah, like almost 170 years ago. Black people used to be enslaved and were raped and killed but they don't see shit from it today, so why do the Indians?
But the thing that confuses me the most is the way most live. I grew up 20 miles from a town that was 90% Native American. They had 4 Casino's right outside town, two smokeshops, a HUGE truckstop and a 10 mile long turnpike. Now you would think with all this money coming in to the tribes, that the tribe members would be pretty much set, but not the case. The area was an absolute dump. The Tribe even came in and built houses, 100's of houses and let tribe members move in for free (let that soak in for a moment). But yet, the place was an absolute ghetto. As a matter of fact, in all of my travels, I am yet to find a bigger dump than Holdenville Oklahoma.
Anyone have any insight, explanations, comments?
