Lakota Indians declare themselves independent of US
 

Thought this was interesting...

http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/742440.htm

I fully support them.

That is unbelievably interesting and I also find interesting how you can find the story only on iafrica.com or a bunch of blogs or if you really search, it is on Fox News (great...)... But you can't find it on cnn.com (tho' Jamie Lynn Spears is on the front page) or NYTimes.com ... nah, the news doesn't get "filtered" at all...

I guess this will be interesting to watch this played out in court.

Of course none of their "citizens" will be wanting any US government assistance in anyway any longer, correct?

I did find it on yahoonews after I posted that http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071220...w_071220061635 but that hit was fairly far down.

I beleive that The Indian (American) Nations are seperate unto them selves.

They live on thier lands, given to them by the US Government. Sweet of them isnt it?:eek:

They are also stipened by the BIA or given allowances. We are to kind to them!

So now, when they find a way to make money on thier own-gambling, the Govt. has to supposedly give approval.

Sad to be an American Indian at times.

I certainly hope not. If they demand independence but want to still be considered US citizens for the purpose of benefits, they should be denied such assistance.

If they're not US citizens, by their own admission, why would they bring it to a US court? It would go to a world court, if any.

I sure wouldn't want my tax dollars supporting them if they were independent, and I'm actually part Lakota Sioux (my grandfather was active in the tribe).

This'll get interesting the moment they refuse to pay taxes. IRS agents, etc. should clear that up.

I'm not sure how taxes work for the Lakota now, but considering they'd be renouncing their US citizenship, I doubt they would be eligible to receive government aid and wouldn't pay taxes either.

Assuming this ever occurs though.

I'm pretty sure they receive more than they pay.

Ummm I agree. I certainly don't want my hard-earned tax dollars to go to a bunch of loonies who think running a federal government is a piece of cake.

Perhaps, my point is they may not pay the same taxes as you or I now. Tribal lands are considered semi-autonomous. Also, many tribes are taking over services that were once provided by outside state and/or federal agencies because they're not effectively targeting the tribal populations. Schools are a big example. I'm just saying that everyone can stop complaining about their tax dollars because residency in the new country appears to require renouncing your US citizenship. You wouldn't then turn around and receive Medicaid because you do not reside in the US, nor are you a citizen.

(All operating on the assumption that their suit is successful. I suspect they'll end up settling with the US government.)

Honestly, the way Am. Indians have been treated in this country, I don't blame them. The least of which is that they're stereotyped as either the noble savage, the casino owner, or the alcoholic living on "our" tax dollars. And considering the US can't be bothered to actually adhere to the written treaties that exist with the various populations, good on them.

If the U.S. is no longer bound by the treaty, then the U.S. will probably lay claim to the land the Lakota think is theirs. Further, the Lakota, by repudiating their treaty are probably giving up very significant mineral and water rights which they won't get to have anymore.

I just don't see how this can be a good thing for the Lakota.