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A crippling dependence
by Rod Van Mechelen
Conservative American Indian Republicans—ConservativeAIR.com™
Posted November 2, 2004 5:00AM PST
Looking to others for our answers
Ronald Gishey Sr., president of the Greasewood Springs Community School Board, on the Navajo Reservation, is looking to John Kerry for answers:
"It's been all downhill from there, and here we are again hoping that a new president will solve our problems," Gishey said. — Navajos look to Kerry: Tribe wants crumbling schools fixed, by Mark Shaffer, Republic Flagstaff Bureau, Oct. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Their schools are dilapidated and run down, and even though the Bush administration offered $8 million in BIA money to renovate the school, according to Catherine Begay, principal of Greasewood Springs, they want more:
"But it's hard to renovate something that's been built on shifting soil, is falling apart at the seams and has 40-year-old wiring in it," Begay said. "We are in desperate need of a new school, and that's going to cost $25 million to $30 million." — Navajos look to Kerry: Tribe wants crumbling schools fixed, by Mark Shaffer, Republic Flagstaff Bureau, Oct. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Ironically, Bush has promised more:
Bush vows that if he is re‑elected, he will give priority in funding to states that improve their preschool preparedness programs and he will promote a variety of literacy programs among children. He also points to his rigorous academic state scholars program and says he has increased college financial-aid assistance to $73 billion, a 55 percent increase from 2001. — Navajos look to Kerry: Tribe wants crumbling schools fixed, by Mark Shaffer, Republic Flagstaff Bureau, Oct. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
But many of the Navajo are tired, and feel that a new president will give them new hope.
This doesn't make sense to a lot of non‑Indians. They can't relate to the apathy and despair, the ennui draped like a wet blanket over so much of Indian country and so many Indians after generations of false starts, empty promises and false hope. It's incredibly hard to believe for just a little bit longer, and so much easier to change leaders and hope he will make things better.
But the problem with always looking to the government to solve our problems, is that it makes us dependent. If he does as promised, Kerry will make us more dependent. That's why, as we look to the government for short‑term fixes, we also need to embrace long‑term solutions.
That's what George W. Bush offers us. Maybe not as much money up front, but in the tradition of Nixon, Reagan and Bush Sr., his administration is implementing policies to promote self‑sufficiency in Indian country. And that's what we really need.
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