Wampum

There's a little group in Oklahoma named One Nation United. Well, to be honest, they're part of a now larger, national coalition, with organizations in California, Washington and New York.

Their mission?

To end tribal sovereignty for American Indian nations in the US.

Their Issues?

Taxation - It is legal for tribal businesses to sell goods to tribal members without local, state and federal taxes. It is illegal for tribal businesses to sell goods to non-tribal members with no tax or reduced tax. Unfortunately, this law is not enforced in most states. As a result, the many tates are losing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in sales and excise taxes, and a growing number of non-tribal businesses are unable to compete with their subsidized tribal competition.

Casino Gambling - Tribal casino gambling expansion too often results in harm to surrounding communities' quality of life, as well as having negative impacts on our state and local tax base. Although everyone wants to see tribes succeed economically, their success should not come by causing increased crime, traffic congestion, and harm to the environment. Casino tribes must be required to pay their fair share of taxes, follow all state and local environmental codes, and mitigate the extra expenses tribal casinos cause local governments to incur, now being unfairly borne by
taxpayers.

Environmental Regulation - Tribal governments can attain federal authority for water and/or air quality programs. Thirteen Oklahoma tribes have applied for such programs to EPA. Dozens of tribes in other states have implemented their own regulatory regimes, superceding local, state and federal laws, most with disastrous results for non-tribal businesses and property owners. Such a regulatory patchwork, if put into place in Oklahoma and across the nation, will inevitably drive away investment capitol and stymie local economic growth

Political Contributions - Tribal leaders and members should be involved in the state and nation's political process. However, they should be held to the same state laws prohibiting corporate contributions and requiring that contributors and contributions be reported to the state Ethics Commission and the Federal Election Commission. Tribes should not be allowed to contribute federal tax dollars or money from corporate tribal enterprises to political candidates and causes.

Other issues include the removal of millions of dollars of property from county tax rolls as it is purchased by tribal governments; the protection of land and water rights for landowners and municipalities; and the problematic nature of doing business with tribal enterprises that can't be sued due to sovereign immunity.

Their founding members?

Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association
Oklahoma Petroleum Marketers Association
Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Southern Oklahoma Water Alliance
Oklahoma Grocers Association
United Property Owners

So just why are oil companies so concerned with Indian casinos?

Next question? What, if any, are Ralph Reed's ties to One Nation United?

[Update: I should probably note that there are a lot of federal Indian Trust lands in Oklahoma. And a lot of oil too, under those lands.]