Topic: Social and Cultural Issues
Emergency In Republic of Lakotah Elderly folks, and little children will freeze, or starve this winter. Lovers of freedom can help!by Hickory Hendrickson
(Libertarian)
Monday, January 14, 2008
This is why you should donate time to the Republic of Lakotah. Something has to change! Freedom lovers- put aside your differences, unite for a common good!
The facts speak for themselves. I am horrified no one told me sooner!
MORTALITY
Lakotah men have a life expectancy of less than 44 years, lowest of any country in the World (excluding AIDS) including Haiti.
Lakotah death rate is the highest in the United States
The Lakotah infant mortality rate is 300% more than the U.S. national Average. Teenage suicide rate is 150% higher than the U.S national average for this group.
POVERTY
Median income is approximately $2,600 to $3,500 per year.
97% of our Lakotah people live below the poverty line.
Many families cannot afford heating oil, wood or propane and many residents use ovens to heat their homes.
HOUSING
Elderly die each winter from hypothermia (freezing).
1/3 of the homes lack basic clean water and sewage while 40% lack electricity.
60% of Reservation families have no telephone.
60% of housing is infected with potentially fatal black molds.
There is an estimated average of 17 people living in each family home (may only have two to three rooms). Some homes, built for 6to 8 people, have up to 30 people living in them.
UNEMPLOYMENT
Unemployment rates on our reservations is 85% or higher.
That's just an excerpt, the full list at the Lakotah web-site is much worse!
Why is this happening in the United States?
Third-world conditions, or worse, right here, in our own backyard. Why didn't I know?
Somehow- they kept me worried, genuinely worried, about kids in Mexico or Argentina, while kids in America froze to death, or starved.
They kept me worried about the poverty in Africa, while 17 people lived in each house, here- in America.
They kept me worried about drilling wells in India, while Lakotah kids only have a 33% chance of growing up with running water or sewage.
I don't know who "they" are, but I'm done with them. I want everyone to know!
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2008 Hickory Hendrickson, all rights reserved.
Published: Monday, January 14, 2008
Last modified: Monday, January 14, 2008
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article are those of Hickory Hendrickson only and do not represent
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This is where libertarians do the worst in terms of policy. People in general don't know how to value these sorts of situations. Most people expect that others will donate to support their time. This is where government should probably step in to help out!
Seeing as how the Government is responsible for placing these and many others in these living conditions, Yes, the Government is resposible for taking care of these people. It really is common knowledge that Native Tribes have dealt with more than any other group of people in America.
Getting an economy up off the ground is always a challenge. Many independent pieces must be created at once (or nearly at once). It takes creativity, coordination, and cooperation.
It almost makes me wish I were free to move there. I have ideas, a firm grasp of basic technical/mechanical skills in several fields, and a strong body. It's unfortunate that other obligations bind me to where I currently live.
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2008 Hickory Hendrickson, all rights reserved.