Indian Gaming Initiative

In spite of being inundated with pro and con ads about Prop. 5, I still have questions. The proponents claim support of 85 tribes. How many total tribes are there in California? What are their populations? What are the qualifications for membership (what fraction of Indian blood)? What percentages of the tribes’ members live on the reservations? The proponents promise to contribute to other tribes that do not have casinos. What percentage of their income will be so shared?

Indians were granted citizenship about 75 years ago, while the tribes were and are still treated as separate, sovereign states. Why is it right for these citizens to enjoy rights, such as sovereignty and exemption from taxes and gambling laws, not enjoyed by other citizens?

Do we expect the Indians to manage and operate their casinos themselves? Or will they hire others to run them?

JERRY SCHWARTZ

Manhattan Beach

*

I am a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians in Temecula and wish to comment on your Oct. 2 article on Prop. 5. Per the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, gaming is already legal on reservation lands and is regulated by tribal and federal governments. A yes vote on Prop. 5 means no change. The current types of tribal gaming will remain the same: video gaming machines, card games, bingo and, in some cases, off-track betting. Prop. 5 simply allows a continued opportunity for Indian self-reliance through limited, regulated tribal gaming on existing tribal lands. Tribes representing 96% of Indians in this state support Prop. 5.

I am deeply saddened that three tribes have joined forces with Las Vegas interests in opposing Prop. 5. One wonders why these tribes would support the interests of Las Vegas casinos when they have nothing to gain if Prop. 5 loses and everything to gain if it passes.

LINDA MARKSTROM

Whittier

*

Let me get this straight. The poverty-stricken Indian tribes have amassed $42 million to pass Prop. 5 (Oct. 6)? I grew up on an Ozark farm. We used an outhouse and had no indoor plumbing. The agency who bailed us out was called Mom. She got a job.

ROBERT RAUSCH

Santa Monica