I received a survey from U.S. English, Inc. that included some frightening statistics about language usage in our country, such as:
1. The Department of Justice requires the printing of election ballots, registration forms, and brochures in foreign languages in over 1,000 polling locations costing taxpayers $27 million each year.
2. Foreign language driver’s license exams are given in almost 90% of the states, with some states offering as many as 30 different languages.
3. 24.5 million people living in the U.S. cannot speak English–double what it was 20 years ago.
These are but a few problems. Don’t we all love everything printed in multiple languages on labels, dialing 1 to hear a message in English, etc. The survey did not include statistics for Pennsylvania, but since we have no English only legislation on the books as some states’ do, and our illegal immigation is 16th highest in the 50 states, I am sure we are spending a lot of money on foreign language printing and vocal messages. Taxpayers also have to pay for language interpreters in the courts and medical facilities, and they are trying to get schools to have interpreters. No other country that I am aware of does this, and when I travel abroad to non-English speaking countries, I am not afforded these same amenities. This has got to stop.
URGE LAWMAKERS TO PASS THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH BILL, H.R. 997 IN CONGRESS THAT WOULD ESTABLISH ENGLISH AS OUR NATION’S OFFICIAL LANGUAGE.
URGE LAWMAKERS TO REJECT THE “ENGLISH PLUS RESOLUTION,” WHICH SEEKS TO BAN MAKING ENGLISH OUR OFFICIAL LANGUAGE AND ESTABLISH MULTILINGUALISM AS THE OFFICIAL POLICY OF THE U.S.
SUPPORT H.R. 1228 A BILL THAT WOULD OVERTURN EXECUTIVE ORDER 13166 OF PRESIDENT CLINTON MANDATING COSTLY MULTILINGUAL PROVISIONS THAT CATER TO NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING SPEAKERS.
LAST, ENCOURAGE OUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO PASS OFFICIAL ENGLISH ONLY BILLS.
