Support the Akaka Bill
One amendment will make it palatable to this conservative leader.

Senator Akaka, the Democrat from Hawaii and Governor Lingle, the RINO Republican from Hawaii are working hard to get S344 (HR 665 in the House) passed so that “Native” Hawaiians can be recognized as what is effectively an Indian tribe. Many conservatives decry creating another race based pseudo government for the purpose of pouring largesse in amounts and in manners that exceed the current level of wasteful and unconstitutional largesse. I for one could argue in its favor.

The bill intends to allow for self-government, self-determination, and economic self-sufficiency. As we all know these are virtuous goals and without this bill the people it addresses do not have and cannot attain any of those three.

My amendment, which would make it acceptable, would be to add recognition for my highly persecuted and under-privileged tribe.

I come from the tribe of Native Slavo-Gaelics. I grew up in a large Slavo-Gaelic community. My ancestors were forced to flee from their European homelands and being drawn together by a common ancient religion (Roman Catholic) they amalgamated themselves into a coherent community.

You see, I am Polish and Irish. Slavo-Gaelic people are not just Polish or Irish, they are Polish and Irish. We are the brunt of persecution (jokes) about being stingy and excessive alcohol users. We also tend to be outcast among some who are only Polish or Irish Americans. Imagine the big boned, dark haired, football-playing guy named Sean O’Grady. How about the slender crimson haired lass with the name of Orzelska Wiengielewska? My childhood neighborhood in South Chicago was full of examples like this. Any people who can spell “corned beef” in the Cyrillic alphabet deserve to be recognized. 

You need to understand that I want self-government, self-determination, and most of all economic self-sufficiency no matter how much it costs you to give it to me!

I think that with enough work a few other “native” groups could weasel their way into this bill. Who would deny that African Americans are a coherent group in need of the aforementioned ‘three self’ virtues? Come to think of it, anyone could tie themselves to this tree. Once we recognize all these native groups for special rights and privileges perhaps we should recognize “Native Non-Americans” (aka. illegal immigrants) as well.

Or, we could simply recall that the premise of our Republic is the creed that “all men are created equal”.


Richard Engle is the President of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies. He also serves as Oklahoma’s Commissioner of Archives and Records and served as Oklahoma’s Rules Committeeman to the 2000 Republican National Convention. He can be reached at Engle@MrGOP.com The National Federation of Republican Assemblies website is www.GOPwing.com