I can see what you mean when you say they are "COMPLETELY different." The principal is the same though. You are asking somebody to change something that has been a part of them since birth. Nobody will EVER be forced to learn English while living in the U.S.

If I moved to another well-off country.. say Japan.. Do you think that they'd take the same steps to coddle me as an illegal immigrant that the US does with ours?

Hell no.

If I went to live in France don't you think there's a pretty good chance I'm not going to get by very well without learning French?

I agree with most people here. We do too much to coddle today's immigrants. We make services available FREE OF CHARGE to people who just take our money and send it out of country.

This type of treatment has never been afforded to an immigrant group in the US. Except during times in which we were settling new territory (don't hold your breath for that one again).

It's really not fair looking at the big picture. We need strict border control and should either grant citizenship to or deport all of our illegal immigrants. And yes, I believe there need to be certain requirements for citizenship (like speaking the local language).

I agree with the first part of your statement, but not the second.

Non-English speakers who intend to stay in this country for more than a short amount of time, should be strongly encouraged to learn at least some basic English. It should be a requirement for citizens and resident aliens who are pursuing citizenship. They should understand instructions given them in an emergency. They should understand enough English to do some sort of job. If they're in any sort of job where they're dealing with customers, even a store clerk or gas station attendant, they have to be able to communicate with customers. They don't need to be able to pick up a Shakespeare play and understand it, but they need the basics.

But I also believe that English-speaking Americans should be required to learn a second language. I would like to see elementary schools offer Spanish and/or French (arguably the two most commonly spoken languages in the US other than English) and require all students to take one or the other - when they're young enough to absorb and internalize it. When they get to middle/high school, they can continue their Spanish or French studies and/or study a third language.

Have to jump in on this- am putting off painting.

NAFTA-never should have happened. Canada and Mexico are on my "poop" sheet for the moment and besides, when I purchase something I want to know if it was made in AMERICA, not the AMERICAS.

English-ditto ktsnake, but here we have French Immersion available and I think it's a WONDERFUL program.

Welfare-Only physically disabled people or widows who REALLY need help. Plus, mandatory birth control if you keep popping out babies and collecting MY tax dollars.

Borders/Immigrants-NO, NO, NO!!! I am on the brink of isolationism. Big business wants cheap labor and BOTH parties are afraid of losing votes if they take a strong stance.

Criminal Justice-A woman who sells drugs or her body to keep food on the table does NOT deserve the same (or worse) punishment as a rapist or murderer.

Term Limits/ NO tenure/flat tax

Foreign affairs-QUIT FORGIVING DEBTS! Cut off the grain supply and stop using agriculture as foreign policy. Our farmers are the last bastion of true independence and Cargile is trying to corner the market. No foreign aid to those who spit in our faces!

LAWYERS!!! Any lawyer who takes a case that is frivolous should be financially responsible for all fees incurred by BOTH parties.
Under the same topic, individuals who bring suit against others when it's their OWN ignorance (gee, I didn't think the coffee would be hot-they should have TOLD me OR-. January 2000: Kathleen Robertson of Austin Texas was awarded $780,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running amuck inside a furniture store. The owners of the store were understandably surprised at the verdict, considering the misbehaving little boy was Ms. Robertson's own son.

Oooh Tort Reform... I really think that if you lose a lawsuit YOU should be responsible to pay all the expenses of the defense PLUS compensate them for the time spent in litigation.

Maybe that would help ease some of the strain on our legal system:D

Re: Here is something else I believe
 

this is an interesting thought, but chances are if someone does not believe they were created by a higher power of sorts then they probably don't believe in heaven & hell either

immigration should be COMPLETELY halted until we get our own affairs in order. stop bringing in other people who put a drain on OUR economy, even if they are having trouble in their own land.

english should be the OFFICIAL language, but that doesn't mean people can't ever speak their native language. if they can't get by in english, make them learn it. i'm so tired of hearing people who have been in this country for over 5 sometimes 10 sometimes 20 years NOT being able to speak a word of english. get the hell out then! of course it takes time to learn a language, but 10 years and not a single word????? ugh.

all drugs should remain illegal.

republicans shouldn't be allowed to hold office. especially those darn bushes.

kids whose parents neglect them by not making sure they have a proper education should be put in jail. i can't stand parents who don't care if their kid's homework is done or has enough supplies.

more to come...

Absolutely.

This is America - it's a free country. So if you don't want to learn English - fine. But if you go to take the written drivers' test and it's in English and you can't read it, well, so sad too bad. You won't get a license. That's your choice.

It pisses me off no end to see official documents in a multitude of languages, not because think everyone should speak English, but because MY TAX DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR IT. Paying for the translator, paying for the extra paper and ink. That's crap.

Republicans out of office? Based on your views you should be caucasing with Pat Buchanan:D

Re: Re: Here is something else I believe
 

No, probably not, but in what I believe, I would know where they *should* end up. I am not one to judge anybody, but I can still guess.

Ya know I love ya JAM, but I gotta disagree here.

NO TERM LIMITS. We have them in San Antonio on our city council and Mayor. Since they are limited to two, two year terms, NOTHING gets done, and they are all on the take. Two of them were just arrested by the FBI for bribes.

Think of term limits this way... You wouldnt make your physician quit because he was good at what he does, would you?

I cant stand Senator Robert Byrd. Man is an idiot. He is the poster child for term limits, BUT if the voters in W. Virginia wanna keep electing him thats their right. Dont term limit someone outta office, just elect whomever is running against them. Term limits fundamentally eliminate voter choice. I believe that to be anti-democratic.

Robert Byrd's an interesting character. I probably don't agree with him on much but the man definitely sticks to his beliefs.

You have to at least respect that in a senator.

It is an embarrassment to see females cry in sports. :mad:

Not so bad.. I think women just express emotions differently. That's how most were socialized to believe that it is okay for them to express sadness like that.

Just because they play sports doesn't mean they have to act like men.

wow, i think thats one of the most intelligent things i've heard a man say ;):D