RE: Swinomish supports schools

Good to know. It was outlined last week by Superintendent of La Conner schools. The Swinomish contribute significantly.

However, there is a caveat.

In collecting what was formerly tax revenues used by Skagit County (and other entities) and allocating those funds to satisfy the Tribal agenda, there remains an inequality of taxation. Tax rates are still artificially distorted. Non-tribal persons are paying for the Tribal agenda. That is not a fair use of funds formerly designated for the needs of all the citizens of Skagit County.

Please end the unfair Swinomish Fee and revert to traditional collection of funds for their original purpose. The Swinomish should still hand over all the “fees” collected from non-Indians to the County as was formerly the case. The “fees” are arbitrary and without representation for those from who they are collected. Yes! We are aware of the laws, but it is also the case that laws have to be corrected from time to time.

It is hoped that SCOTUS (U.S. Supreme Court) will soon rule on this nonsense. The taxation situation is only an artifact due to the irresponsible lack of action by the Federal Government, subsequent to one of its courts decisions.

It is time to fix all Indian Affairs by giving the self-sustaining tribes their own reservation land free and clear and to subsequently end all the complications that result from static “Indian Policy”. Some of you are aware of the long list of inequities that arise because of the separate status for Native Americans.

We all want to be treated exactly in the same way by U.S. law.

This two-nation “sovereignty” nonsense has to end.

No more Indian/Non-Indian dichotomies.

I think the Trump administration is of the same mind. Let’s see if it happens during the next seven years.

Let’s hear from you coach potatoes also. Do you think you live in a vacuum?

George D Conger