Kerry offers to buy Indian country
Many Indian leaders support Kerry
Posted October 28, 2004 5:15AM PDT
According to Ron Allen, respected chairman chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Sequim, Wash., Kerry is his man:
If we want an administration in the White House that will give us a seat at the table and address our concerns, we must get out and vote for John Kerry Nov. 2. — Kerry will address Indian concerns, by W. Ron Allen, October 26, 2004
Although a Republican, Allen supports Kerry because he's disappointed in Bush and believes that Kerry has a plan:
Kerry has a comprehensive plan to improve the lives of American Indians and Alaskan Natives through respect and honor of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. He will increase funding for health care and will appoint American Indians and Alaska Natives to key positions in the administration. Further, I believe that he will improve educational opportunities for our tribal communities. — Kerry will address Indian concerns, by W. Ron Allen, October 26, 2004
Without a doubt, Kerry does plan to give money to Indian tribes. It's what the Democrats do best. They are, after all, the party of entitlements. But while there are many other reasons, in my opinion, to support Bush, his administration has provided more than $1.1 billion for school construction and repairs, his 2005 budget provides $3.7 billion for Indian Health Service, and he increased diabetes prevention funding by 50 percent, to $150 million.
He has also respected tribal sovereignty and self-determination, most recently by signing the Government‑to‑Government Relationship with Tribal Governments Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies. More important, however, his 2005 budget includes $1 million to develop uniform business codes for all tribes.
Okay, $1 million isn't a lot of money for a national budget item, but the amount isn't as important as what it's for. Indian country needs commercial investments. Until investors feel comfortable pouring money into development relationships with Indian tribes, most are doomed to struggle in poverty. Uniform business codes that apply to all Indian country will solve that problem.
It has to do with tribal sovereignty. Some tribes—not many, just a few—have lured investors to put money into tribal projects. Once the project was complete, the tribe exercised "tribal sovereignty" to renege on the deal. In effect, they stole the money, bilked the investors, and did it with impunity. So now investors are reluctant to risk putting their money into tribal projects. "Once bitten, twice shy," so the saying goes.
Uniform business codes, that protect investors and stabilize business practices throughout Indian country, will reduce that risk and help attract billions in investment dollars to everything from tribal wind farms to high tech assembly plants.
This marks one of the main differences between the Democrats and Republicans. While Democrats, like John Kerry, just promise to keep throwing money at our problems today, Republican administrations, like George W. Bush, give us the means to solve our own problems today and prosper tomorrow. And that, is worth more than all the money Kerry could give us.
A crippling dependence
Looking to others for our answers
Posted October 28, 2004 5:15AM PDT
Ronald Gishey Sr., president of the Greasewood Springs Community School Board, on the Navajo Reservation, is looking to John Kerry for answers:
"It's been all downhill from there, and here we are again hoping that a new president will solve our problems," Gishey said. — Navajos look to Kerry: Tribe wants crumbling schools fixed, by Mark Shaffer, Republic Flagstaff Bureau, Oct. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Their schools are dilapidated and run down, and even though the Bush administration offered $8 million in BIA money to renovate the school, according to Catherine Begay, principal of Greasewood Springs, they want more:
"But it's hard to renovate something that's been built on shifting soil, is falling apart at the seams and has 40-year-old wiring in it," Begay said. "We are in desperate need of a new school, and that's going to cost $25 million to $30 million." — Navajos look to Kerry: Tribe wants crumbling schools fixed, by Mark Shaffer, Republic Flagstaff Bureau, Oct. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Ironically, Bush has promised more:
Bush vows that if he is re‑elected, he will give priority in funding to states that improve their preschool preparedness programs and he will promote a variety of literacy programs among children. He also points to his rigorous academic state scholars program and says he has increased college financial-aid assistance to $73 billion, a 55 percent increase from 2001. — Navajos look to Kerry: Tribe wants crumbling schools fixed, by Mark Shaffer, Republic Flagstaff Bureau, Oct. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
But many of the Navajo are tired, and feel that a new president will give them new hope.
This doesn't make sense to a lot of non‑Indians. They can't relate to the apathy and despair, the ennui draped like a wet blanket over so much of Indian country and so many Indians after generations of false starts, empty promises and false hope. It's incredibly hard to believe for just a little bit longer, and so much easier to change leaders and hope he will make things better.
But the problem with always looking to the government to solve our problems, is that it makes us dependent. If he does as promised, Kerry will make us more dependent. That's why, as we look to the government for short‑term fixes, we also need to embrace long‑term solutions.
That's what George W. Bush offers us. Maybe not as much money up front, but in the tradition of Nixon, Reagan and Bush Sr., his administration is implementing policies to promote self‑sufficiency in Indian country. And that's what we really need.
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