They can't have their own currency because that was not specifically negotiated in a treaty. They don't have to pay taxes on income earned and they are raping the American dollar away from citizens with casinos. Why would they want to change that situation anyway?
http://www.bia.gov/FAQs/Limitations on inherent tribal powers of self-government are few, but do include the same limitations applicable to states, e.g., neither tribes nor states have the power to make war, engage in foreign relations, or print and issue currency.
how is an exchange or a bank involved in printing or issuing currency?
I think the spirit of the actual law would keep them from running an unlicensed bank or exchange unless it was only for the Indians to use within the boundaries of the reservation. They can trade river rocks with each other and call it cash but they can't leave the reservations and trade those rocks with palefaces. They can smoke peyote in a religious ceremony but they can't sell controlled substances to palefaces. Besides they have the same limitations applicable to states.
"spirit of the law". wow, that's an interesting one. almost sounds beneficial.
exchange or banking over the internet will be an interesting question while the exchange is housed on a reservation. i see your point but it's muddied and not spelled out clearly as far as i know. otoh, it might be an interesting experience to travel to a reservation if one had to exchange or bank onsite.
That is a funny phrase isn't it. When I was young the legal system interested me and I would read transcripts of landmark cases. Attorneys use that term to attempt to apply meaning where none really exists.
Letter and spirit of the law
The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law is an idiomatic antithesis. When one obeys the letter of the law but not the spirit, one is obeying the literal interpretation of the words of the law, but not the intent of those who wrote the law.
It would be a very muddy legal battle were it not for one phrase, "the same limitations applicable to states".
