From Foxnews.com:
WASHINGTON — The Lakota Indians, who gave the world legendary warriors Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, have withdrawn from treaties with the United States.
"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us,'' long-time Indian rights activist Russell Means said.
Well, it seems that the Lakota Indians have decided that the U.S. is not for them. More power to you guys. I don't think anyone out there is going to argue that the U.S. government has not abused the Native American population, but I'm not sure this is the best way to go about securing your future and / or attempting to rectify the wrongs of the past.
Lakota Country (I don't know if that's the real name or not) aims to issue its own passports, driver licenses, and citizens of the new country will live tax-free (provided one renounces their U.S. citizenship). Additionally, in an effort to gain recognition from other countries, Lakota Country visited the embassies of Bolivia, Chile, and South Africa. I guess they visited the embassies in Washington, D.C. because I'm pretty sure since this new country is like 4 hours old, no one has had a chance to setup a proper embassy in Lakota Country, let alone diplomatic relations.
If I were sitting in on the meeting to decide whether or not to declare my tribe independent of the U.S., here's some things that would factor into my decision:
- Lakota Country is landlocked. There is no readily available sea port. Actually, come to think of it, I'm pretty sure there is no airport large enough to handle commercial jet liners, so international travel is going to be a problem
- The only way in and out of your country right now are the roads which were probably paid for by the U.S. or state government. Not only is the maintenance on these roads going to go to hell, how are is Lakota Country going to pay for the repairs?
- Since living in Lakota Country is tax-free, how is the government going to pay for anything? Are they going to go old school and do it commune style like their ancestors? While that sounds like fun for a weekend, I don't think people are going to be lining up to renounce their U.S. citizenship for an opportunity to live in the 1800's.
- What's the national defense plan? How is Lakota Country going to protect it's land? To be honest, I don't know where Lakota Country is beyond the fact it has areas in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming. Those states don't seem like prime real estate to me, but the U.S. has never really been to keen on giving up land.
I could go on for quite some time. But the point is this - the State Department and U.S. government are probably treating this like a parent treats a 6-year old who decides he's going to run off and join the circus. I'm sure the Lakotas have a legitimate gripe with the U.S., but declaring yourselves independent without really having a plan in place for things like defense, international travel, and other vital aspects of a country isn't the best way to address your grievances.
