We are one nation

Repeat after me: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, one nation under God. I think that just about covers it? We are one nation, not a confederation of nations, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs should be put to rest, like a lot of other antiquated rules and regulations that were in vogue 200 years ago. 

Water is a natural resource and doesn’t belong to any one person, place or thing. It belongs to all of us and is regulated or should be regulated by the states. I, like so many today, am fed up with “I’m Native American” — well, so am I! I was born in this country and no place else, therefore I am native to this land. 

It is time for a certain select group of individuals to get off the federal teat and start to own up to their own responsibility of making a living instead of getting a government handout! Those handouts give American Indians no incentive to work or educate themselves and so they fall into despair, especially the young and turn to drugs, alcohol and often suicide. 

In my 75 years I’ve learned one big lesson; when you have something given to you; you don’t appreciate it half as much as if you earned it yourself. This nation must step up to the fact that we are all one nation of people, a composite of several cultures and religions, but united in one glaring fact — we are the United States of America! —Jim Garvey, Kalispell