tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11453282.post115071443784231546..comments2023-12-24T00:17:40.700-05:00Comments on Dissonance And Disrespect: Indians Hit The JackpotLoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15077915661688419630noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11453282.post-1150841219663014082006-06-20T18:06:00.000-04:002006-06-20T18:06:00.000-04:00"Casino money is not taxpayer money so Aboriginal ...<I>"Casino money is not taxpayer money so Aboriginal communities only need to be accountable to Aboriginals..."</I><BR/><BR/>Well, it sounds like their not even dong <I>that,</I> are they? That also presupposes, Robbie, that Natives have an inherent right to build and operate casinos, as well as to have them served by road infrastructure, municipal water and sanitary service, and electrical connections. I don't believe this to be the case: while the argument can (and no doubt <I>will</I>) be made that non-Aboriginal taxpayers cannot prevent the construction of an Aboriginal casino, there is no question that these taxpayers are under no obligation to make it accesible, or to prevent competing entertainment. As a practical matter, operation of a facility by a selected group that is otherwise illegal is a matter of give and take between the various levels of goernment and the parties who wish to run the enterprise.<BR/><BR/>In addition, governments are (for example) forgoing the revenue that could come from an off-reserve gaming operation in order to provide funding for activities that will support aboriginal people. Those governments have a reasonable expectation that this funding will indeed benefit those aboriginals, in part meeting the obligations that governments otherwise have to them; this forgone revenue is every bit as much a government contribution to Aboriginal well-being as a direct cash payment, and like all governments, they have an obligation to their own taxpayers and to the (supposed) beneficiaries to ensure theat the funds are used effectively and in the manner intended. Under such circumstances, I don't see it as unreasonable for those governments to deamnd accountability from those running the casino.deanerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11851734805356955228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11453282.post-1150740590788858822006-06-19T14:09:00.000-04:002006-06-19T14:09:00.000-04:00And we'll all be told that requesting basic financ...<I>And we'll all be told that requesting basic financial disclosure is a racist act.</I><BR/><BR/>Actually you'll be told that it's none of your damned business. Casino money is not taxpayer money so Aboriginal communities only need to be accountable to Aboriginals, not the Canadian taxpayer.Robert McClellandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11441059623685149683noreply@blogger.com