The opposition in Congress to making English the official language of the United States is a near perfect example of the failure of the current leadership in Washington to adopt a deeply held value of the American people. Eighty-five percent of Americans want the federal government to join with 30 states in making English the official language of the United States, and yet our elites consider the adoption of this value as a distraction or worse.

Consider the Democrat presidential debate Sunday . When asked for a show of hands, Mike Gravel was the only candidate to express support for English. Barack Obama said that the question "is designed precisely to divide us" and that "when we get distracted by those kinds of questions, I think we do a disservice to the American people." If 85% of Americans support English as the official language of government, the only division is between Senator Obama and the American people.

Evita Clinton responded that she supported English as the "national" language but not the "official" language of the United States, since making English the official language would prevent the printing of foreign language ballots for U.S. elections.

It seems that only the elites can possibly see 85% support for a deeply held American value as divisive and think it is acceptable to express support for English as long as it does not actually have any meaning.

QUACKERS

Queen victory ruled most of the world in her day and her name as well as other english place names are all over the world,If we had one language with teachers all over the world teaching english in all schools and colleges, If aliens ever came to earth they would only need to learn the one language and we would all understand when they tell "we have come to blow your planet up" Then we can all be afraid together lol. chris.

Gsxr13

I just dont get why the americans only want to know one language when in other countries you see little kids that can speak 3 or 4 languages.

ordinaryguy

Laziness, mostly.

CaptainRich

I've heard it said that if someone speaks three languages, they're tri-lingual.
If they speak two languages, they're bi-lingual.
If they only speak one, they're American.

Ha
Sadly accurate. But it is rumoured to have originated in central Europe.

Unfortunately, I've learned and then subsequently lost two foreign languages that I once spoke fluently: Russian and Japanese.
Both learned by being in close contact with those speaking the language.
First was native Russians, still living in Alaska, where I grew up.
Secondly, when visiting Japan for an extended period.
Both lost after less contact no longer required remembering.

Bear in mind, this is America. We don't border the multiple countries like many other's do.
The less contact with the spoken language doesn't require learning it. Or remembering it, obviously.

Simple. In my humble opinion, it's not that American's don't want to learn another language. We just don't need to.

Why do some think that's wrong?

talaniman

Its only wrong when you tell me what I need to do.

Otherwise, carry on.