84% Say English Should Be America’s Official Language

[Danno 1,228]

Show me where in the Constitution it says we're allowed to do that

It's right there in the part that allows for amending the constitution.

Obviously our Forefathers never envisioned a country where our language would be over-run but they did envision the need for change and thats why we have a number of ways to address this issue.

An "Amendment" to the Constitution being the most concrete.

.... next question?

Read the 10th amendment. The federal government has no authority over this

My friend we are long past letting that stand in the way.

[Danno 1,228]

Seems kind of pointless really. For all intents and purposes English *is* the official language already.

More chestbeating nationalism = just what we need

Seems like you and your country could do with a bit more of that..... it's sad to watch your once great country wither on the vine. (no really)

When one considers the decline of the British Empire, it should be a lesson to us all about these things.

[Nessa 23]

i agree it should be english and i don't see why people b*tch about it, it's not like people will not be allowed to speak spanish, manuals will keep having both languages, customer service calls will still have the dial 2 for spanish option and so on.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Show me where in the Constitution it says we're allowed to do that

It's right there in the part that allows for amending the constitution.

Obviously our Forefathers never envisioned a country where our language would be over-run but they did envision the need for change and thats why we have a number of ways to address this issue.

An "Amendment" to the Constitution being the most concrete.

.... next question?

Read the 10th amendment. The federal government has no authority over this

My friend we are long past letting that stand in the way.

But aren't you guys having tea parties and other dramatic bullcrap to demonstrate against federal overreach?

Or is federal overreach perfectly fine when it serves your narrow political agenda?

[Caladan 19]

To be honest I noticed more of that sort of thing when we were living in Southern CA - spanish language billboard signs etc (not surprising given that Mexico is right next door). Don't really see that on the East Coast.

It depends on where you are, too. New Haven has a decent-sized Hispanic community, and it's not uncommon to see signs in Spanish and in English. It also doesn't mean that I can't get by speaking only English, though; the Dominican family that owns the mini-mart and laundromat near my house greets me and C. in English, and Hispanic customers in Spanish.

[Danno 1,228]

Show me where in the Constitution it says we're allowed to do that

It's right there in the part that allows for amending the constitution.

Obviously our Forefathers never envisioned a country where our language would be over-run but they did envision the need for change and thats why we have a number of ways to address this issue.

An "Amendment" to the Constitution being the most concrete.

.... next question?

Read the 10th amendment. The federal government has no authority over this

My friend we are long past letting that stand in the way.

But aren't you guys having tea parties and other dramatic bullcrap to demonstrate against federal overreach?

Or is federal overreach perfectly fine when it serves your narrow political agenda?

Federal Overreach would be, Washington telling California what language their Driverslicense test must be in.

An Official language is the language used in anything to do with the fed govt. States are still free to set their own laws.

Why would you want it any different?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

States are still free to set their own laws.

Yes, but instead of advocating that individual states declare English to be their official language, you're advocating something completely unconstitutional.

[fozzie 41]

It seems to me that ones life becomes easier in the US if you can speak English. Those that don't speak english really limit themselves in the kind of jobs they can get. This might be fine for some people but does it really matter to me? No. If they want to restrict their lives, so be it.

If I move to mexico am I going to get a good job speaking onbly English? I doubt it.

Edited May 19, 2009 by fozzie

[Niels Bohr 72]

I prefer English be chosen. The more someone speaks English, the more fluent they'll become.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

or.... "otra vez la misma chingadera, Dios???"

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Seems kind of pointless really. For all intents and purposes English *is* the official language already.

More chestbeating nationalism = just what we need

Seems like you and your country could do with a bit more of that..... it's sad to watch your once great country wither on the vine. (no really)

When one considers the decline of the British Empire, it should be a lesson to us all about these things.

Oh we have plenty of nationalist chestbeaters - they are the ones who go around spraypainting "pakis go home", "England for the English" etc etc etc.

The National Front and the BNP are actually enjoying a boost in popularity these days, as are far right groups across much of Europe (as evidenced by the recent elections in Switzerland and Austria). Even the French left wing has taken a sudden turn to the right with their election of Sarkozy (their version of Bush).

As to the decline of the British Empire - what lesson do you think we should learn from it? That old school imperialism is a good idea?

[Lon Yonson 0]

In California English is not the official language.

[sj5 4]

In California English is not the official language.

I'm force to speak Spanish in our classroom.

Edited May 19, 2009 by sj5

[fozzie 41]

In California English is not the official language.

I'm force to speak Spanish in our classroom.

I hope thats a spanish class. If not, then thats wrong.

[jundp 191]

30 US states have English as their official language. The only purposes behind having an official language, for example are: that a) it's taught in schools b ) legal proceedings are in that language c) signage is also in that language and a handful of other reasons.

What difference would it really make if English did become the official language? Honestly it wouldn't change that much. As many have pointed out, you'd still have forms and signs in other languages in areas where it's necessary. Is that REALLY such a bad thing?

FWIW, in Seattle, there are more people who speak Tagalog than speak Spanish I think.