English as the official language of the US [View All]

[cynatnite]

My sister forwarded me an email asking if it was true. Here is what it said:

Isn't it intetresting that only one of these is a Republican (RINO) and all the rest are democrats or independents. Do these people think we live in some other country?

AGAINST ENGLISH
WHY WOULD ALL THESE SENATORS VOTE AGAINST ENGLISH AS OUR OFFICIAL LANGUAGE?
ANSWER:
BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO ALIENATE THE FASTEST GROWING BLOCK OF VOTERS!! UNBELIEVABLE!!

These people have whose best interests at heart? They need to be removed from office at the earliest possible time. Please forward to everyone you know whether or not their state is represented by one of these nuts.

Subject: 38 SENATORS VOTED AGAINST ENGLISH

THE SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST MAKING ENGLISH THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF "AMERICA - HERE THEY ARE.

Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wyden (D-OR)


Subject: Send This Around The USA

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Here is my response:

It’s probably true. Most Democrats oppose, as do I, making English an official language. There are several reasons. It limits those who speak another language from talking with the government. This includes voting, education, heath and welfare, financial assistance in cases such as social security, police assistance and can have an impact on fundamental rights. Not only would it isolate millions of people who speak another language, these laws would fail to help those who need it integrate into American society. 97% of the population is proficient in the English language and to legislate it is unnecessary. Free English classes are offered all over the country for people from a variety of countries. In fact, people are learning the language at a faster rate than in previous generations.

The United States has thrived for over 200 years without this stupid law. What’s the need for it now?

To an extent, I find laws such as these inherently racist. Some people believe English should be the only language spoken. I think back to the time when Native American children were separated from their families, sent to a far away school and they were forbidden to speak in their native tongue. These languages have suffered as a result. As the elders die, that’s fewer and fewer who still speak the native tongue. The Salish language is a prime example. It has suffered and degraded over time.

I think this would also discourage people from wanting to learn a second language such as Spanish. With an attitude of ‘English only’ comes an intolerance for other languages and people from other countries. Also, when Americans go overseas for an extended length of time, they can expect to be treated the same exact way for not learning that native language of the country they are in.

As you can see, there is no real benefit to having English as an official language other than it sounds nice and very American.