"You can't be so partisan that you alienate yourself from sources of power and support. While liberals and Democrats say they deplore stereotyping, profiling and generalizing, that is exactly what they do when they vilify Republicans to justify Democratic viewpoints. Such barrages are usually against Republicans, but other parties, including the Green Party and the Libertarian Party, get a taste as well. Heavens (or is that another Republican code word?), why should facts get in the way of a good blasting?

Here is my point. A journalist or activist (sometimes it is hard to tell the difference, even though journalists are supposed to have a set of ethics to guide them) can write all they want without regard to facts. As tribal leaders or tribal members wanting to improve our communities, we don't have the luxury of being partisan. No one party has all the answers nor are they in power all the time.

We have to get away from the extremes of liberal or conservative or party affiliation. We need to look at the diversity of ideas and find those that we can use, regardless of where they come from. Tribal leaders need to look to all parties for answers, not just to cliched and perceived Democratic positions."

Get the Story:
Ron Toya: Beyond left and right: The case for an Indian conservatism (Indian Country Today 7/28)