Replies

you have an INSISTENCE that values are language dependent. This is, simply speaking, balderdash. You insist on this obvious falsehood because you know that to admit the obvious will harm your "English speaking only" vision of America. I can drive thru Michigan on Sunday a.m. and hear dutch or german sermons.(FYI, I type a "period" instead of a "question mark" for a reason: I was answering, not asking, a question.)

It isn't balderdash; it's a FACT. As far as how people speak to each other in their churches, in their homes, or in their cars, I COULD CARE LESS! The government, however, SHOULD NOT be spending TAXPAYER money to communicate in languages NOT English, such as for voting/driving/education, etc. People should be required to speak this country's language at schools and with government officials, not the other way around.

Not that you'll be interested in reading anything at this site, but I'm posting an excerpt to a 1995 article, with points that are still as relevant today as when it was written, and link just the same, in case others/lurkers are:

One Nation, One People, One Common Language

by Rep. Toby Roth

Having English as our official language simply means that the primary language of instruction in schools is English, and that you vote and deal with the government in English. People will still be able, even encouraged, to speak and learn a foreign language, and preserve their heritage. The only significant difference will be that government actively reinforces our common language rather than erodes it.
For almost every American, this is just common sense. Just recently a USA Today Weekend Magazine poll found that 97 percent of respondents wanted to declare English our official language.
In the past, our nation has been a shining example of how people from every background can live and work together in harmony. I want to keep America one nation, one people. We must preserve the common bond that has kept this country of immigrants together for more than two centuries by making English our official language. Our future as a united nation depends on it.
[snip]

I found the article amusing. It started out by saying what I say (or I said what it said, whatever), in that English is the way to progress and everyone knows it. So far, so good. Then it lists a whole slew of gov't dumbass projects to waste money translating ballots and other crap. No disagreements there. THIS is what I found amusing:

Why are we doing this? Our laws require that naturalized citizens must "demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language." Before calling for a LAW to establish "English as the official language" the article ADMITS that the law already requires a naturalized citizen to have sufficient understand of English to get by for basic activities.

You want to fix the problem by passing a FEDERAL law. Oh, just GREAT! That'll damn sure fix it. Let's outlaw murder next, ok?