Sam Gibbons: “everyone outside of the bloated Federal bureaucracy knows that government that governs least governs best. Never was…”

“everyone outside of the bloated Federal bureaucracy knows that government that governs least governs best. Never was this more apparent than on Friday when California reached a historic agreement with local Indians regarding Indian gaming in California. In fact, the tribal chairman there is quoted as saying ``a turning point in tribal-state relations'' has been reached. The real significance of this agreement, however, lies more in its origin than in its content. Despite numerous attempts by Secretary Babbitt to back-door his way into negotiations and the approval process, California has rightly asserted its sovereign status and jurisdiction. This compromise between California and sovereign Indian nations is proof that Federal intervention was not necessary, nor would it have been appropriate in this issue. California correctly and repeatedly told the Interior Department to butt out, that they do not need to be told by the Federal Government what is best for their State. Now we have proof. The Tenth Amendment works. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 3094, a bill which will ensure that no State must sit back while the Federal Government tramples the Constitution and blatantly disregards their sovereignty.”