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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.
Great, a whole nation saying nucular and misunderestimated.
I can pronounce nōō-klē-әr just fine thank you, but if worries you that folks that say "y'all" and "fixin' to" build and maintain those nōō-klē-әr weapons I can't be of much help.
Switzerland is a tiny country with no where near the social issues that the U.S. has. The fact of the matter is that this country is a Melting Polt. Meaning we get together and celebrate and share our differences, but to do that we have to speak the same language. Otherwise language will keep us separated. I get po's everytime i have to press one for english. I don't have any problem with "legal immigration" but i think a requirement to have any kind of citizenship in this country you had better speak english. Can you imagine if we tried to accomodate everyone in this country, multiple asian languages, spanish, german, french , farsi, etc........... We can be differerent but we have to be able to communicate.
I don't think that commonality of language is what motivates one American be decent to another American. I think that there are other far more significant criteria involved in the American mind of which language is just one very small factor. Remove the language issue and the remainder and far-more significant obstacles to acceptance would remain virtually intact.
Furthermore the idea that language is the unbreakable ultimate cement keeping the country from flying apart is hogwash. Why? Simple. Because the country flew apart during the Civil War which was fought between English speakers and which the North won with the help of foreign language speaking immigrants. How's that for cement?
IMHO
In any case, here is a website I found interesting:
The Civil War was fought to correct an unresolved issue that was compromised to a deadlock since the beginning of the nation. But I'm glad you brought it up . It reinforces my position . Prior to the Civil War the nation was referred to as these United States .After the war it has been more commonly referred to as the United States . That may be a subtle distinction but it's implications are enormous. Before the war one would call themselves Virginian if they lived in the States . Today someone from the State would call themselves an American first .
The Civil War was fought to correct an unresolved issue that was compromised to a deadlock since the beginning of the nation. But I'm glad you brought it up . It reinforces my position . Prior to the Civil War the nation was referred to as these United States .After the war it has been more commonly referred to as the United States . That may be a subtle distinction but it's implications are enormous. Before the war one would call themselves Virginian if they lived in the States . Today someone from the State would call themselves an American first .
I am familiar with the issues leading up to the Civil War. Why the nation was torn apart is irrelevant to the fact that most Americans spoke English and this supposedly strong unifying force didn't make any difference in keeping the country from a bloody four year Civil War. Actually, neither did the speaking of English prevent the establishment of Jim Crow against other English speakers, which finally led to the Civil Rights Movement and riots by black English speakers when other white English speakers didn't pay attention to their plight. So in light of such blatant disregard for the rights of English speaking Americans by other English speaking Americans, I find it difficult to consider the speaking of a same language as being the strong unifier that its being touted to be.
I have to agree that One official language is the way to go.
In Canada we have two English and French.
The problem comes when you try to accommodate the other. One is always the first language and it causes resentment with the other.
The cost to business haveing to provide service and product labelling is onerus.
Its not really the "official" status that is the problem however. the real issue is government trying to provide services in many languages. If services are available in someones language of origin the NEED to speak English is diminished.
I can't discriminate in hiring because the person doesn't speak English even though the vast majority of my customers speak only English. I am amazed when I meet people that have been in the country for thirty years and still don't speak the language.
Anyone ever hear of the Tower of Babel? What better way to destroy a project or a country that have everyone speaking a different language.
I just find it interesting that right wingers think they can change ingrained behavior with the stroke of a pen, and then they're surprised when people don't tow the line.
Making English our official language isn't going to make more people speak English. It's just going to make it more difficult for those who don't. My Grandma was one of them. What??? Your grandma wasn't???? Oh yes she was.....
The idea is mean spirited, and in my view, anti-American.
I just find it interesting that right wingers think they can change ingrained behavior with the stroke of a pen, and then they're surprised when people don't tow the line.
Making English our official language isn't going to make more people speak English. It's just going to make it more difficult for those who don't. My Grandma was one of them. What??? Your grandma wasn't???? Oh yes she was.....
The idea is mean spirited, and in my view, anti-American.
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