Navajo prez backs Barack Obama

[one...two...tree 2,762]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president recently at a meeting of tribal leaders from across the country.

"I am honored today to stand before you, as the elected leader of the Navajo people, to introduce the next president of the United States – Barack Obama," said President Shirley before a room full of some 100 leaders at the Indian Pueblo Culture Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "For eight years, we have lived with Federal policies that erode our culture and language and, therefore, attack our very identity as Native people," said President Shirley.

"For eight years, we have watched our nation's riches poured into the sands of the Middle East in an ill-advised war, and now, because of poor regulation over the last eight years, we see tens of billions more spent to save our financial institutions," said President Shirley as he repudiated the administration for its record on Indian legislation and appropriations.

"It is time for change: a real change! It is time for the United States of America to truly honor its obligations to its Native peoples," continued President Shirley.

Among the group of tribal leaders who gathered at the Indian Pueblo Culture Center included New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Gov. Richardson has been a strong supporter of Sen. Obama's bid for the presidency and a friend and advocate for the Navajo people.

President Shirley called on tribal leaders from "New Mexico, Arizona, the Southwest, and in all of Native America" to join him in his support of Sen. Obama.

"Barack Obama understands the uniqueness of Native nations and Native peoples," said Shirley. "Barack Obama understands the importance of upholding tribal sovereignty. Barack Obama understands that the federal government must live up to its trust and treaty obligations, including providing the tools that will enable us to help ourselves in developing our economies and lifting up our peoples."

"That is why I come before you today in support of Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States," exclaimed Shirley amid a room full of cheers and shouts in support of Obama for president.

"I ask you all to join me in turning out the Native vote for Barack Obama this November. Let's together fight for the health and wellbeing of our people," said President Shirley as he concluded his remarks.

Sen. Obama met with tribal leaders in June and August this year in Albuquerque, and today carries the endorsement of the leader of the nation's largest tribe.

http://nativetimes.bizweb5.tulsaconnect.co...98&Itemid=0

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Will this bump his number in NM?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Will this bump his number in NM?

I don't know.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Shirley Jr.......

[luckytxn 2,264]

He better. The socialist programs are very important there.

[aidan80 9]

He better. The socialist programs are very important there.

This whole place needs a good dousing of socialism.. ya know.. start simple.. national health care for the most vulnerable, actual maternity leave for workers who have babies, better regulation of the various industries that rape us daily.. e.g. "gas companies"!.. I mean I could go on and on all day but I doubt it'll ever happen, too many people seem hostile to the idea of actually helping each other!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

He better. The socialist programs are very important there.

This whole place needs a good dousing of socialism.. ya know.. start simple.. national health care for the most vulnerable, actual maternity leave for workers who have babies, better regulation of the various industries that rape us daily.. e.g. "gas companies"!.. I mean I could go on and on all day but I doubt it'll ever happen, too many people seem hostile to the idea of actually helping each other!

I agree, but luckytxn is using the term 'socialism' as perjorative. He and his ilk believe that one social program leads us ever closer to total government control. It's pure fearmongering. Like the Red Scare in the 50's.

[aidan80 9]

He better. The socialist programs are very important there.

This whole place needs a good dousing of socialism.. ya know.. start simple.. national health care for the most vulnerable, actual maternity leave for workers who have babies, better regulation of the various industries that rape us daily.. e.g. "gas companies"!.. I mean I could go on and on all day but I doubt it'll ever happen, too many people seem hostile to the idea of actually helping each other!

I agree, but luckytxn is using the term 'socialism' as perjorative. He and his ilk believe that one social program leads us ever closer to total government control. It's pure fearmongering. Like the Red Scare in the 50's.

I know, it's total insanity and people who "think" like that, if that can be called thinking are in my opinion greedy! Socialist ideas and concepts have worked well in Europe, very well in Ireland and even in the UK. I mean, maybe it's just me and where I was brought up but.. we elect the government, we pay them.. why should it be so hard for us to want them to actually do something for us? Why should the sick go untreated or hunted down like vermin because they can't pay their bills to a private company that's raping people for "services" then blaming it on "costs/equipment/skills" or even on people who don't pay? Health care isn't even the tip of the iceberg...

There can be a good balance between socialism, capitalism and democracy! If this place was reformed, government streamlined, city governments for the most part cut out and county government established to run things at a local level under the direction of the state leaving all the big stuff up top at federal level e.g. health, defense, foreign affairs. It wouldn't be that hard to just have 1 police, fire and ems service per state.. do we need an alphabet soup of emergency services? Think about all those agencys, those costs and believe me they all fight with each other over money and everything else! Cut it all down, combine it and run it from the top down instead of inside out.. better value for money! We pay a small fortune alone that gets ate up on small town political $hit!

Just my thoughts on the matter, I'm just thinking out loud here!

[luckytxn 2,264]

Rest my case here.

[almaty 19]

He better. The socialist programs are very important there.

This whole place needs a good dousing of socialism.. ya know.. start simple.. national health care for the most vulnerable, actual maternity leave for workers who have babies, better regulation of the various industries that rape us daily.. e.g. "gas companies"!.. I mean I could go on and on all day but I doubt it'll ever happen, too many people seem hostile to the idea of actually helping each other!

spot on

[SteveLaura 0]

Rest my case here.

I for one would be interested to read your comments regarding Aidan's post' if you wish to supply them.

I agree with you, BTW, Aidan.

Edited September 24, 2008 by SteveLaura