Posted on 03/26/2004 6:26:02 AM PST by Thanatos
It makes perfect sense. There has been little improvement in Indian country under the Democrats. Conditions in South Dakota reservations certainly haven’t improved under Daschle. What’s an Indian to do politically? "I'm going to work with Sen. Thune's staff,” says Means, “and the state Republican Party, and that will open doors to work with the National Republican Party to completely change Indian policy in America."
For some years, in fact, Means has recognized the impotence of the Democratic Party’s approach to Indian problems. He joined the Libertarian Party in 1987, and ran as the Libertarian candidate for governor of New Mexico in 2002. “What is an American? I believe an American loves to be free. You are free to be responsible. That's the only rule you should understand,” Means says.
That American freedom does not exist on the great Indian reservations. In fact, tyrannical communism reigns on the reservations. Means explains, “This [America] is the only place where communism is successfully practiced in the world. Communism is alive and well on Indian reservations run by the United States government.”
The Republican ticket may offer Indians an alternative, says Thune, and he has more than just Russell Means behind him.
Bruce Whalen, also an Oglala Sioux of Pine Ridge, is committee chairman of the Republican Party in Shannon County. Whalen says, "I know there's a lot of Republicans out there on Pine Ridge. They just don't know it yet.”
Whalen believes the Republican Party more closely mirrors his traditional Lakota values than the Democratic Party. Those values are respect for life, limited government, sovereignty and local control.
Whalen believes government-funded programs and tribal politics that dole out the money are the root of the reservation's poverty. Alcoholism and other abuses follow suit.
“I see how the social programs are devastating the people around here,” he said. “The Democrats are hurting us.”
Thune agrees. Indians will identify with Republicans if members of the party take the time to explain what the party stands for. Thune thinks the idea of less government translates into freedom and sovereignty for Indians.
But with the BIA in charge, “it's pure communism,” says Russell Means, “and it's an abject failure. Just like it was in the Soviet Union. It's failure. You've created a dictatorship by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.”
Means recalls, “The Libertarian Party had a party platform that all claims by Indian people would be settled for existing government surplus land, and that would be the end of it; then they'd be on their own. We'd exist as sovereign nations, as protectorates of the United States government, but economically they'd be on their own. And, I pushed for that. And so all claims, all treaty violations would be taken care of, and there'd be no other recourse except in courts of law. Some would fail, some would succeed.”
One Sioux woman, a Sisseton Wahpeton woman of eastern South Dakota, gravely cautions. Betty Ann Gross noted a rift between Indian leaders and Indian people once before, in Sports Illustrated (March 4, 2002). She more recently posted, “I believe it is up to the individual Indian bands in America to make this decision to preserve ‘the Indian’ and it is up to each ‘Indian’ to assist his own reservation, community, family and self.”
In other words, one decision or one solution does not fit all Indian tribes. Each tribe faces different circumstances in terms of size, population, resources, and hence, variant likelihood of success as an independent, sovereign protectorate. And Betty Ann is not so quick to blame the government for all of today’s Indian problems. She is a registered Republican also, but does not expect salvation from a political party.
Interestingly, yet another well-known Oglala Indian, Tim Giago, is running on the Democratic ticket against Tom Daschle. Giago, publisher of The Lakota Journal, is definitely a liberal, but also realizes that Democrats and their Indian casinos have done nothing for Indians.
Russell Means says it’s all about freedom. Which party promises you the most freedom? Which allows the freedom to be responsible? Given the Democratic record of dealing with Indians in South Dakota, there isn’t any doubt in Russell’s mind.
50 years back the natives in Alaska were self-supporting thru seasonal subsistence activities; they trapped, fished, hauled supplies, cut firewood, ect. Today they wait for their checks, grant money which is seen as free money, tribal money, and slowly watch half their kids die from alcoholism that the money provides. I don't know too many natives in my village that would be receptive to Repubs; it would mean an end to the money and alcohol. Many hard working successful natives too, but most have moved to the cities to achieve this where a true economy exists.
Our govt has showered grant money without accountability and in the process destroyed a people. The grant money is the only way out and many villages are utilizing the funds to develop mining operations on their land, tourist facilities, and just recently I see a local village received a grant for 700 thousand to purchase land for a bison ranch. The govt must increase the grant money for economic activity, hold tribes accountable for the funds, and in the end bring back the work ethic that has been lost in 50 years of welfare.
Guess it all goes back to giving a man a fish or teaching him how to fish. That's the only way most natives will ever become republicans.
Actually yes, people are not born conservative; it’s a learning process. Many young are ideological and quite susceptible to being duped by leftist dribble. There are many great conservatives out there today who were screaming socialist in their youth. David Horowitz is the best example.
A grown up liberal is simply a person stuck in perpetual adolescents.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.