Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/01/2008 11:17:23 PM MDT

Editor:

Deliberate use of our Trust Funds or any other Diné money to cover reckless spending on ridiculous pork-barrel projects is irresponsible and scandalous.

Year after year we have heard and seen wasteful spending by our government. We suffer from lack of medical services, no homes for our Elders, terrible roads such as U.S. 491 — and the Joe Shirley government cries for taxes. Dirt roads are not maintained for schools, utility and public use, cost of living has risen and still rises, cost of fuel has sky-rocketed to where traveling has to be curtailed. The Navajo Nation doesn't give us what is rightfully ours.

Depending on the historically enormous spending of our government, they are hiding the true size of our Diné funds. Firsthand knowledge of all expenditures is something we don't know about until the funds are all gone. Meetings are held away from Navajo lands like they don't want anybody knowing about them.

Dealings in hideouts are extremely serious because council delegates are the only beneficiaries

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of our Diné "Pot-of-Gold." We are nowhere near being considered as recipients of any of our funds. They use credit cards to fuel tribal vehicles for personal use.
How long will our Diné money last?

Unless we, the constituents, make changes, we are in trouble of being bankrupt. The fight of our life is upon us with bank loans, casinos, liquors, Desert Rock — all by irresponsible government officials that will soon leave the tribe flat broke. Our children will have nothing and they will be left to pay the bill.

The most powerful weapon against government spending is you, citizens of the Navajo Nation, voters who have the right to be heard, respected, and served honestly by public servants you put into office. They should be honest, reliable, sincere, and faithful, open to investigation, prosecuted if guilty.

Citizens of the Navajo Nation need to stand shoulder to shoulder and commit to protecting the right to their benefits, their right to programs of their choice and needs. They need to increase their effectiveness in efforts to oppose government legislations and wasteful spending that would undermine them, their family, their fellow tribal members.

Forget casinos, liquor, Desert Rock, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Hawaii and hideout meetings. We need doctors, clinics, better roads, more grocery stores. We have been short changed and we want it back, with interest.

Vote out big spenders or they will buy more diamond rings, jelly pants and fancy suits, bolo ties, briefcases, Hawaii and other trips. You figure it out.

R. MIKE FRANKLIN

Toadlena