When Mark Dayton was campaigning for Governor he came to me begging for his support. I refused to support or endorse him. He stamped away like a small child throwing a tantrum after mother refused to buy a candy bar.
Dayton then returned and said, "Alan, what do I have to do to get your support and endorsement?"
All of this took place at the Native American Center at Bemidji State University in front of newspaper, radio and television reporters and in front of two-hundred people.
I told Mark Dayton what it would take to get my support:
1. His support for a state owned and state managed casino that would be smoke-free with casino workers employed under union contract;
2. His support to force existing casinos to go smoke-free and live up to all laws protecting all other workers in Minnesota;
3. His enforcement of Affirmative Action.
Mark Dayton, in front of everyone said, "Its a deal. You got it." To which I agreed that we would support him. And we did. Putting up hundreds of yard signs supporting him; many which we made. We distributed tens of thousands of leaflets supporting him from our special perspective.
Mark Dayton could not have won the Primary Election without our support. Anyone can check the numbers. We campaigned against Margaret Anderson-Kelliher and for Mark Dayton.
Dayton won a very close General Election because of the support he received from our Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council.
Now, with this scheme, Mark Dayton wants to place Minnesotans in the hands of the exact same corrupt casino management firms ripping off the Indian Nations with the exact same owners of the slot machines who will rob us all the same way they have been ripping off the Indian Nations.
Instead of enforcing Affirmative Action, Governor Mark Dayton appointed an opponent of Affirmative Action to head up DEED. Affirmative Action is going without being enforced in Minnesota because DEED and other state departments and agencies have created a scheme to evade Affirmative Action turns state funds over to cities, counties and school boards which aren't required by law to develop and enforce Affirmative Action.
Without Affirmative Action being enforced, Native American Indians will not be able to get jobs outside of the Indian Gaming Industry.
One need only look at the employment records of the cities like Bemidji and the surrounding counties to see that these public bodies are engaged in carrying out racist hiring policies in an area with three large Indian Reservations where unemployment ranges from an official low of 65% to a high of 85%.
John McCarthy, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, claims he and MIGA are concerned about "jobs." What is meant is they want no competition that would force wages up and improved and healthier working conditions in the Indian casinos.
There is a lot not being discussed. But, keeping the facts from people is always a good way for politicians representing their unseen and unknown backers to gain support.
I invite Governor Dayton and John McCarthy to respond.
Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council