>>The Indians are ripping us off? Then, don't go in the dang casino.>>
Perhaps what is eluded to here is the taxation issue. I don't know about California, but here in Washington state, Indians pay ZERO income taxes, federal or tax. There is an initiative on the ballot right now to charge them tax. I have to agree that the free ride is over for them.
Indians call it racist to pay taxes like the rest of us. Like the blacks call it racist to not give them bonus points in qualifying for jobs and education. Same thing.
Stop whining and be productive. THAT will make you equal.
I never owned a slave and feel no need to agree to reparations to modern day blacks (who, in turn, were never enslaved).
I also never bayoneted an Indian while forcing him to leave his home, so why should my tax dollars go to subsidize Indian casinos?
It's time to put all this (You're white....you're bad") garbage to rest.
In short, I agree with you. Their free ride should end. Now.
Uhhh... I beg to differ here. Ever so many of my off reservation Indian (I can use that term - I am one!) immediate family members, other relatives, all members of the Colville, Spokane and Coeur d'Alene tribes pay all the same taxes you do.
My on Rez relatives may not pay state taxes and that is right as the Rez is not part of the state but is a nation unto itself.
Please, don't even get me started on this issue until after 2 Nov... for now, I've got a President to re-elect, and a congressman or two as well...
A Tribe can form a corporation which is legislatively excluded from federal income tax but individual tribal members are subject to the tax. There are some specific exceptions to this, such as income derived from individually held trust lands, but they still are United States citizens and subject to the tax laws. There is not a lot of enforcement on the reservations. The Feds are trying to pump money in, not take it out.