Are Americans growing tired of pressing "one" for Enlish? Are they tired of every government document being printed in multiple languages so as to cater to those that refuse to learn our national language?
Well it appears that is the case in Missouri.
On March 9, 2011 the Missouri House passed legislation that will require anyone applying for a Missouri state drives liscense to take the exam in English by a vote of 102-56. Currently the state gives the exam in 11 different languages.
Supporters of the bill say it's a safety issue, pointing out that drivers need to be able to read English to understand written road instructions while driving. Opponents use words like bigoted and xenophobic to describe the legislation. House Democratic leader Mike Talboy says it discriminates against legal immigrants and says the bill is much more sinister. "Make no mistake, this bill is xenophobic," Talboy said. "It's shameful that we're in this place in society where we're just going to continue to find groups to single out, to go after, to make examples of, for no other reason than the fact that they are different."
House Majority Floor Leader, Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, maintained that the bill did not set an unrealistic standard for recent immigrants to Missouri and maintained the bill dealt more with safety on the roads.
"I think it's disappointing that people chose to make political points on that bill and say that Missouri is closed to people who are different," Jones said. "Our cities and our urban cores have all kinds of different ethnicities and races and creeds and colors, and I don't think that requiring people who come here and take a driver's license test in English is any great detriment."
The Warning Signs would like to hear your opinion on this issue. Do you think this is a move in the right direction and is something that all states should require or do you oppose it? Please leave a comment below and voice your thoughts.
http://www.semissourian.com/story/1709668.html
2 comments:
I am sick of the PC crying, learn English.
Great post better than last.
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