Republican Congressman Calls Native Americans ‘Wards Of The Federal Government’
[su_right_ad]Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar is getting harsh reactions to his comment that American Indians are “wards of the federal government.” The comments took place during a meeting about a land deal that would lead to the country’s largest copper mine.
The Arizona Republican was responding to concerns from Phil Stago of the White Mountain Apache Tribe when he made the comment that stunned people at the round-table talk.
Stago said the phrase is antiquated and ignores advances made in tribes managing their own affairs and seeking equal representation when it comes to projects proposed on land they consider sacred.
“He kind of revealed the truth — the true deep feeling of the federal government: ‘Tribes, you can call yourselves sovereign nations, but when it comes down to the final test, you’re not really sovereign because we still have plenary authority over you,'” Stago told The Associated Press.
Gosar spokesman Steven Smith said that wasn’t the intent of the congressman, whose constituents in the 4th Congressional District include Apache tribes. He didn’t respond to requests to elaborate further…
One topic they addressed was a proposal to swap 2,400 acres of southeastern Arizona’s Tonto National Forest for about 5,300 acres of environmentally sensitive land throughout the state controlled by a subsidiary of global mining giant Rio Tinto. Stago said the proposal was disrespectful to tribal sovereignty.
Gosar said: “You’re still wards of the federal government,” according to the Arizona Daily Sun.
While former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall described tribes’ relationship with the federal government as that of a ward to its guardian in the 1830s, that characterization has long been irrelevant, experts in federal Indian law said.[su_csky_ad]
Budda December 11th, 2014 at 3:17 pm
What a dope.
Jake December 11th, 2014 at 3:18 pm
Newsflash – Native Americans declare entire population of the United States to be parasites living off their land. (Except they have more class than to really say that).
ExPFCWintergreen December 11th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Wut? A Republican turns out to be an ignorant, racist f*ck? Well knock me over with a feather.
rg9rts December 11th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
So this gopee clown is 200 years behind the times…..sounds about right, with the baggers bringing up the rear from the 17th century
tracey marie December 11th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
TAG!
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 1:54 am
Ya got me agin
Guy Lauten December 11th, 2014 at 4:40 pm
“He kind of revealed the truth — the true deep feeling of the federal government”
There’s no “kind of” about it. That’s EXACTLY how the US government has thought of treated the Nations.
GDleftyPart2 December 11th, 2014 at 4:52 pm
He didn’t respond to requests to elaborate further…
Don’t expect him to.
Gosar had to change districts to keep his career as a paid ward of the federal gubmint…
He owes his entire existence to gerrymandering.
Tommy6860 December 11th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Indians are “wards of the federal government.”
And congress/lawmakers are in the “wards” of big business . The Latin phrase “E pluribus unum” on our currency isn’t anything meaningful anymore, it’s simply a visualization for the greedy.
Shades December 11th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
I’ll bet his mother is so proud.
tracey marie December 11th, 2014 at 5:23 pm
who do you think trained him to believe such tripe
whatthe46 December 11th, 2014 at 5:30 pm
exactly. and he surely has been raising idots just like him.
tiredoftea December 11th, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Only if he gets the deal done and she gets her new retirement home!
Suzanne McFly December 11th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Who can be shocked at this, really? Another repub is a racist sleaze ball and the grass is green, nothing new, same crap different day.
arc99 December 11th, 2014 at 6:14 pm
This joker with his government job, his government health insurance plan and his eligibility for a government pension for which he becomes eligible next year (5 years on the job) has the gall to talk about wards of the federal government?
If we really want to change the way Washington DC works, then let’s get serious about it.
First there is no salary.
Your compensation will consist of having your mortgage or rent covered in Washington DC and in your home state. Incoming members will submit an expense sheet outlining their regular household expenses such as child care, food, school expenses etc. Those expenses will be paid for. No member will be allowed to have a second income paying more than $30,000 (about twice the minimum wage).
When you run for reelection, there will be a campaign spending cap commensurate with the number of people in your district. A Congressman from Wyoming has no need to spend as much money as a Congressman from Manhattan.
If you don’t like those rules, the don’t run for Congress, or do a Palin and quit for greener (literally) pastures.
Lots other details to work out, but that would be a start.
Let’s populate Congress with people who are there to govern with a not insignificant personal sacrifice. I personally think it would be a change for the better.
Suzanne McFly December 11th, 2014 at 7:44 pm
That would of kept palin, cheney, bush,……out of politics, too bad this won’t ever come to fruition. The ones who will be “hurt” by this idea are the same ones who will have to pass a bill for this to become the rule.
Lizard December 11th, 2014 at 9:37 pm
Stop electing RepubliDumbs. Live better.
Robert Merrill Taylor December 11th, 2014 at 10:35 pm
I think public stupidity is a requirement for all Republican electoral candidates.
allison1050 December 12th, 2014 at 4:04 am
You do make a valid point Robert.
James December 11th, 2014 at 11:24 pm
NO THAT IS WHAT HE WANTS TO BE THE TRUTH — AND IT CAN NOT HAPPEN
Candide Thirtythree December 12th, 2014 at 12:26 am
It is NOT the federal government’s position, it is only the republicans who think and talk like that.
Kim Serrahn December 12th, 2014 at 11:40 am
wow………..