Quote:
Originally posted by markmywords
i haven't posted on here in quite a while but this thread made me a bit salty.
there is no official language of the united states for a reason. this country is supposed to be for every and anyone. so if in thirty years more people in the country speak spanish than english then spanish it will be. (or whichever other language)
if people can get along without speaking any kind of english in this country then that is their right by the constitution. if it inconveniences you then so be it. you'll just have to move on, but that is your right too.
and if immigrants have to speak english when they come here, then americans should have to stop going to foreign countries and expecting people to speak english. try to learn local phrases.
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English Declared Official in Iowa
Fri Mar 1, 2002
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Gov. Tom Vilsack signed a bill into law Friday declaring English the state's official language.
Though it is mainly symbolic, the law requires all government proceedings be conducted in English. Supporters have said English is a unifying factor in a state that has become increasingly diverse.
Opponents, including many Hispanics and liberals, have called it thinly veiled racism. Most Democrats in the Legislature voted against the bill, which is similar to laws approved in 26 other states.
"I recognize that the bill is not without controversy," said Vilsack, a Democrat. "My hope is that we will look beyond the controversy and put politics behind us so we can focus on our commitments and responsibility to improve education for all our children."
Many of Vilsack's core constituencies had pressured him to veto the measure. Democrats and labor groups held vigils at the governor's mansion and at the Statehouse in protest of the bill.
The Legislature sent Vilsack the bill earlier this week after two years of debate.
After the 2000 election, Vilsack launched a campaign to encourage an additional 310,000 immigrant workers to move to Iowa by 2010 to fill employment vacancies and boost dwindling population.
He noted Friday that lawmakers have promised an additional $1 million in a separate bill to fund state efforts helping immigrants learn English.
According to the advocacy group U.S. English Inc., 26 states have some form of official English laws. Similar legislation was approved by the U.S. House in 1996, but the Senate failed to act by the end of the session.