Should there be an official language for the USA?
By clrumfelt
@clrumfelt (5490)
United States
April 29, 2008 1:03pm CST
Here's what Colonel Harry Riley, USA Ret. wrote about the Ammendment to make English America's official language, dated Wednesday, June 6, 2007:
Senators:
Your vote against an amendment ot Immigration Bill 1348 to make English Americas official language is astounding. On D-Day, no less, when we honor those who sacrificed in order to secure the bedrock, character and principles of America, I can only surmise our vote reflects a loyalty to illelgal aliens.
I don't much care where you come from, what your ridigion is, whether you're black white, or some other color, male or female, Democrat, Republcian or Independent, but I do care when you're a US Senator represetning citizens of America and you vote against English as the official language of the US.
Your vote refllects betrayal and political surrender. It violates your Pledge of Allegiance, dishonors historical principle, rejects patriotism, borders on traitorous action and, in my opinion, makes you unfit to seve as a US Senator. Impeachment, recall or other appropriate action is warrented or possibly even worse.
Four of you voting against English as America's official language are current or former presidential candidates: Senator Biden, Senator Clinton, Senator Dodd and Senator Obama. You are and were four senators bing to lead America, but you won't or don't have the courage to cast a vote in favor of English as America's official language when 91% of american citizens want English officially designated as our language.
This is the second time in the last several months this list of Senators have disgraced themselves as "political hacks" unworthy of being Senators and cettainly unqualified to serve as President of the USA.
If America is as angry as I am, you will realize a backlash so stunning it will literally "rock you out of your pants" and, preferably, totally out of the US Senate. The entire immigratin bill is a farce. Your action only confirms this really isn't about America, it's about self-serving politics and it's despicable at best. It has been
said, "Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level!"The following Senators voted against making English the official language of America: 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), Harkin(D-IA), Inouye(D-HI), Jeffords(I-VT), Kennedy(D-MA), Kerry(D-MA) and Kohl(D-WI).
I agree with Col. Riley that an ammendment designating English as the official language of America would be a good thing. How do you feel about this issue?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
1 May 08
Although I am in no way against legal immigration, I think this is a fine idea to have. This Country was founded with the English language. That is what language they used to write the Constitution, why shouldn't it be the official language. I mean, lets not make it easy for them. Why after two-hundred and thirty-two years should we change the language to appease those who are in majority of coming here. The part that these Senators have forgotten is that they are COMING HERE. If they want to be here, they should at least learn the language. We would have to do the same to some extent if we were to move to their country.
Its always bugged me about immigrants that came here and didn't know any of the language. I always thought to myself, "A person could be getting over on you, and you wouldn't know it if they were telling it to your face." I know I couldn't go anywhere without having a basic knowledge of the language.
Now because some minority is coming here in droves (I wonder which language each senator had in mind) We would change the official language for them? When is the last time you went to someone's house and told them how to run their lives? Not ever I suppose.
The official language should be English, hands down. The residents here for the most part know English, why should they be forced to learn a new language?
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
1 May 08
I completely agree with your view. People want to come here illegally and be catered to by our country, thinking we should change our laws and culture for them. I think they should earn their right to be here by learning our language and culture. If they don't want to, they should stay in their own country.
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
30 Apr 08
I think it would be good because it would not force federal, state, and local governments to have everything printed in several language, thus costing quite a bit. I also think that it helps to re-enforce our national image. America may be made up of many cultures that have different languages, but we are now Americans. If you don't want to learn English, then you pay for the translations. I know that sounds harsh to many, but if I moved to France or someplace that has a national language that isn't English, it would be my responsibility to learn French or whatever. Sometimes Americans can be too generous. We give away health care, we give away social services. Let's not give away our language.
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
1 May 08
I like your perspective on this issue. Let the people who really want to fit into our society work toward that end, and not expect the US to give them a free ride.
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
29 Apr 08
Col. Riley is right on. What can I say? The fact that not everyone sees how obviously correct it is that English should be our official language is perplexing.
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
30 Apr 08
I don't understand others' thinking on this either. It should be obvious. Col. Riley felt those senators who voted against it(one republican among them) did so as an act of cowardice trying to protect their Senate seats.
The list I gave of Senators who voted against it was incomplete. There were in fact 33 against it. I only listed 19 of them.
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
30 Apr 08
Hello Clrumfelt,
I see two of my state's representatives on that list. One of whom is a retiring Republican Senator -Pete Domenici. Grrrr!!!
It is absurd that the USA hasn't authorized an official language. In doing so, we would enjoy a significant cost savings over having to print hundreds of millions of brochures and official documents in multiple languages. We would eliminate the need for our nation to absorb the cost of interpreters for legal action (criminal and civil). After establishing an official language, interpretor provision would fall to the responsibility of the international consulates. We would save resources in many different areas.
Moreover, as you've pointed out, a common language unites, where as a plethora of languages divides. The surest way to keep a permanent underclass is to provide for a language barrier. So, it would seem that every Congressional Rep who voted against English as the official language of our nation is actually supporting a permanent underclass, and fostering divisions within this land.
I strongly agree with Colonel Riley. Though, the problem with oustering those rep's is that the voters in the state that they represent are empowered to vote them out. If the voters support sanctuary policies, then those Rep's are actually doing their job, by representing their constituencies. As such, it would seem that educating the voters on the benefits of establishing an official language must be the first order of business.
As far as I see it, the best way to finally get this done, is for the individual states to include a state official language voter initiative on the ballot. If the majority of a state's voting citizery support the establishment of an official state language, AND the majority of the states support the measure, then it would be that much more difficult for individual legislators to vote against the establishment of English as our official language.
1 person likes this
@graceandowen (1637)
•
29 Apr 08
I didnt even know this was going on to be honest, to be honest america doesnt really have its own language does it as English is our language here in england, french for france etc, but there is no america language is there.
But to go back to your point yes i do think english should the official language of america as it was the language bought over by us and it is the main language that the country has used for many years.
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
29 Apr 08
It only makes sense that a nation needs an official language to promote unity and avoid confusion. Thanks for your input.
