Yep, already started to come out from the local DEMOC
s in Phoenix and Tucson.
Posted on 02/11/2005 4:41:43 PM PST by SandRat
PHOENIX - The House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to declare English the state's official language.
The prime sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said the use of Spanish and other languages damages national unity.
Pearce's bill won support from the Republican-dominated committee in a 6-3 party-line vote.
"In the name of diversity, we continue to promote and encourage people to speak other languages," Pearce said, comparing the practice to spoiling a child by providing a car, an allowance and a place to stay. "Pretty soon, if you're good enough to him there's no need for them to go get a job.
"If you're going to encourage people not to learn English and provide crutches for them, then you continue to damage what brings us all together as a nation. We're Americans. We speak English."
HCR 2030 would require all "official actions" of government to be conducted in English. That includes anything done on behalf of state or local government that binds or commits the government or "appears to present the views, position or imprimatur" of the government.
Exceptions are provided to comply with federal law, teaching other languages, encouraging international trade, protecting the rights of crime victims and anything that protects public health and safety.
It also would permit "informal and nonbinding" communications.
That provision appears designed to resolve problems with a similar constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1988. That amendment was subsequently struck down after courts said it would interfere with the ability of lawmakers and others to communicate with the public.
Pearce said the intent is to stop government "from encouraging multiculturist kinds of attitudes by giving out crutches."
He said places like Canada, Malaysia and France with multicultural societies "have tension and clashes and civil wars that are brewing."
Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, said people want to learn English and suggested that Pearce's bill include a requirement that the state provide adequate funding for programs to teach it.
Pearce rejected the suggestion, noting that he believes enough already is being spent.
The last word, though, will likely come from the courts. A federal judge has ordered Arizona to invest more money into public education to teach English to students from homes where it is not the main language.
The measure now goes to the full House. If adopted, voters who would have to approve the change in the 2006 election.
The 1988 version was approved by a margin of less than 1 percent.
English Only!
Oh my god, fascism! They actually want everyone to be able to understand each other! That racist Bush is behind this! Blah blah blah...
Good!
I hear your sarcasm, but the truth of the matter is that the citizens of the State of Arizona are behind this one...
We've had it up to here ^
Just the savings in translation and printing costs for multilingual materials published by the state government should make this seem a no-brainer.
I'm from Massachusetts but have been following this story. Interested in seeing how it plays out.
Just make english only for law and trade. The rest will follow...
We tried this ten or so years ago and it fell flat after passage.
I think the tide is turning.
I wonder how many in the House will refer to 'English Only' legislation as "Hate Speech"?
I hope so. It's one of those issues that seems to have flexibility in terms of politics--one could just as easily say those who are against it are racists for claiming non-Americans aren't smart enough to master English, yet the opposition to English-only has fallen apart on the school front of late, so I believe this is an idea whose time has come. Most people don't think it's a bad thing that we can all communicate with each other.
Yep, already started to come out from the local DEMOCs in Phoenix and Tucson.
Conservative Canadians thought that too and look what happended to them.
As long as the "Hate Speech" is in "English Only", that's fine with me... ;)
Bring us up to speed with Kenya.
s count on it.
One of the biggest lies of the 1990's (aside from "I did not have sex with that woman....) is the liberal mantra of "Our strength lies in our diversity".
On the surface it looks good but when you realize that "diversity" is nothing but a 160 way tug-o-war, you realize that REAL strenght lies in all the people pulling in the SAME direction.
In retroflection he was right. It was just a symbolic insult to Hispanics. The state is better off today than ever, we have a $6.5 Billion surplus, rated number one for new business, solid Republican and no one has choked on a meatball.
I just love these little baby steps i hope it catches on like Wildfire rat i really do !
Amerkia wans me 2 lern iinglish? That is so racist! /Sarc off
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