English as the US official language?

[lehighguy]

It's not legislating that they need to speak English in thier homes. Nor is legislating they need to change thier culture.

It is regulating that people need to learn to use the language spoken by the vast majority of the population and in which all major business is conducted.

Just as we assume new citizens must know about the principles of the declaration of independence, we should also require them to speak the national language. Just as we require students to be able to add and subtract in order to graduate high school.

Why does the government not implement it, they don't give a [censored] about the kids in my mom's school. They never have. They want votes, you get votes by pandering to the lower common denominator, not by advocating good governance.

No we shouldn't. This is not one of the roles that I believe the federal government should have. The states should feel free to adopt whatever official languages they want.

Why have all the Republicans turned into federal government lovers?

[coffeecrazy1]

Lehigh...I love ya...you and I are two of the staunchest Libertarian voices on here...but I need to say that you need to take a step back and look at the big picture. First, check the full implications of the OP's bill...there are some major things there(like the advertising and such). Second, how does this not hit the First Amendment? I agree that there should be cultural pressure to learn English as one's primary language here, but how can we justify legislating as such?

Again, I have the utmost respect for you, and we are almost always on the same page, but I think that you need to take a closer look at what we're really saying in this one.

[lehighguy]

An official english language doesn't mean we need to purge other languages. I'm sure as hell not about to listen to dubbed anime. But it does mean that OFFICIAL US government business will be conducted in English. IRS forms, school curriculums, etc.

I see no first amendment problems with this. There is absolutely no constitutional imperative forcing the US government to conduct its business in other languages. Is president Bush forced to give his speech in Spanish from time to time?

This wouldn't apply to the private market at all, as well it shouldn't. However, having US government business conducted in English and having English taught in schools, should provide sufficient motivation for immigrants to learn the language.

It doesn't even have to be thier primary form of communication, but they should be able to communicate with people who aren't Hispanic. Currently, you can find whole communities of immigrants were a lot of people don't know any English because they don't speak it. It's like tiny little countries within America. It isn't healthy for our democracy if we can't even speak to eachother. We have a hard enough time doing that when everyone speaks English.

[tylerdurden]

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It is regulating that people need to learn to use the language spoken by the vast majority of the population and in which all major business is conducted.

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This is authoritarian, central-planning thinking. Short sighted, anti-freedom.

[ACPlayer]

No.

If in 20-30 years Spanish is the preferred language in America, so be it.

Incidentally, I believe that at present all naturalized citizens are tested for a basic knowledge of english.

[ptmusic]

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I think we need to keep ESL (English as a Second Language) and in some cases BiLingual education in place in our public schools.

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Why? If anyone applying for naturalization or permanent residence (green card) must be proficient in both written and spoken English, why would we need bi-lingual education?

I can see English as a second language for Diplomat’s kids and visiting Military kids but that’s a very small group.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are forgetting about all the current non-english speaking children (and adults). And you are forgetting about all the future illegal immigrants crossing our borders, as long as Bush and others on both sides of the aisle want to allow them in. I lean to the right on that issue too.

But you can't blame the immigrants themselves, and we are much better off educating the children than leaving them uneducated. Hence, the need for ESL and bilingual education.

Also, I read "b" too quickly - I'm for mandatory english on all government-funded signs, not privately owned signs.

-ptmusic

Of course we should. If you believe we should make the official language English then you should join the Paul Revere Society. Borders, Language, Culture.

http://www.homestead.com/prosites-prs/index.html

[slamdunkpro]

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The one that the original poster was proposing clearly WOULD force people to speak english, as it would require english in advertisements (this doesn't force EVERYONE to speak english 100% of the time, but it is still government imposing language) and also would require english in government funded schools (again, government imposition of language).

[/ QUOTE ]

Sigh,,,,

That’s the whole point. Our nation is an English-speaking nation. Why shouldn’t we insist that if you want to live here you speak, read and write this country’s language. This doesn’t seem to be a problem in Canada, or in the Airline world where the official languages of the air are English, French and Japanese.

[slamdunkpro]

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This forum is so confusing. Sometimes it's overwhelming for smaller government. Then something random like this comes up, and everyone jumps on the big government wagon, assuming they know enough to do the cost-benefit analysis within seconds in their head.

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Oh please, you’re one of the most pro “big socialist government” types on this board. Yet in this instance you carp about “big brother”

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This is an overwhelmingly popular idea as per the polls, so why doesn't the government implement this? Could it be it's -EV? Could our gut reactions for once not be the best government policy?

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January will be the first time that this bill has come up before a Republican majority in both houses of congress. It’s passed the house several times but has always been obstructed by the Dems in the Senate.