GOP runs ad encouraging taxing of tribal casinos (New MN wedge issue)

[mediaman007]

Minnesota Democrats successfully kept the Marriage Amendment off the ballot. So today the Republicans brought a new wedge issue to the table. Rather than play on the fears of gay/lesbian American, they have now chosen to dump on Native Americans.

As I have read before: The Natives will be willing to pay taxes, when they get their land back.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5057720.html

The 60-second ad - running 600 times on 20 stations throughout the state over the next few days - says Democrats are responsible for the monopoly tribes have on casinos in Minnesota.

Pawlenty recently proposed that the tribes contribute at least $350 million to the state, saying that would be about 25 percent of revenues (tribes say that would be a much larger chunk). In exchange, the state would allow them to hold their monopoly for a set period of time - something not mentioned in the Republican ad.

snip

State GOP Chairman Ron Eibensteiner said the party decided to run the radio spot because people had been calling in support of Pawlenty's plan.

During a news conference, Eibensteiner repeatedly said there was broad support for taxing the tribes' casinos.

[Viking12]

1. No new taxes! Except if your skin isn't white.

The Repug mantra in MN is no new taxes. This is an obvious and racist violation of that pledge.

[mediaman007]

2. I'm not a casino guy, but I did think that casinos were a great

way for Natives to escape 100 years of poverty.

These are soverign nations. They owe the state of Minnesota nothing. Notice that the best farmland and the mineral rich Iron Range are not part of the reservations. These people were stuck in far away places with no resources. This is why I canNOT vote Republican...they are assholes.

[truthisfreedom]

5. i'm confused by your last sentence, but i agree that the revenue from

casinos was a good thing. the bad things were the new forms of corruption introduced, and the giant profits for the investors that got these casinos started. i think the investors' profits should be double-taxed to cover the reservation's portion. that would cut down on the madness.

[mediaman007]

8. Re-read the post and edited it...thanks

[Viking12]

6. Whether or not casinos are economically just & sustainable is a different

question altogether.

I assume your last sentence was intend to read, 'This is why I cannot vote Republican...they are assholes'

[mediaman007]

7. Sorry, I was getting a little worked up.

The statement has been edited. Thanks for the heads up.

[kikiek]

3. They should become a corporation. They wouldn't tax them then.

I think it is disgusting and wrong. Pawlenty you're next.

[Dickie Flatt]

4. Minnesota GOP is scum

They are one of the slimiest state parties in the country.

[w4rma]

9. I knew after Schwarzenegger's remarks the GOP would be declaring war

on American Indians.

[Chico Man]

10. I believe Foxwoods pays taxes

CT makes out pretty good with that deal, and so does the tribe.

[Massacure]

11. I thought reservations were on par with the power of a state government

That would mean that they only pay federal taxes and not state taxes, correct?

[Chico Man]

12. Not in CT

Both casinos have flourished: They are among the highest-grossing gambling operations in the world. As of October, the two casinos had contributed $2.3 billion in taxes from slot machines since they opened.

‘‘It's impossible to ignore the money we’ve received from the casinos. It certainly has provided some substantial benefit,’’ said Moira Lyons, the speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

http://www.southofboston.net/specialreports/casinos/pages/day2-1.html