DreamSlayer, I think you have misunderstood what some of the people are upset about. I don't believe that its the use of other languages within our country. I have no problem a Hispanic chooses to speak Spanish to friends, family, neighbors, etc. The problem I have is when I go to a local fast food restaurant and cannot order food a certain way because the clerk cannot understand 'no pickle' because he cannot understand English. I live in Maryland, and the last time I checked was still within the 50 states (or is it 48
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I have no problems at all if people want to preserve their own culture from where they are from....In fact, I'm a believer that peoples cultures should be celebrated, no matter their race or origin. I just find it troubling that I have to learn a new language...a language from another country...just to do business in my hometown.
The way I look at it is the same it has been for many, many generations. Earlier I mentioned the language of my tribe. In order for somebody to be employed by the local goverment, they must have a grasp of the native language. I believe the same should be true here in the United States. If I go into a local business, the clerk should have a working grasp of English and be able to communicate in English. Let me ask you a question...What if you had to call 911 and the person on the other end did not speak English? Why should any other business be the same.
I tend to find the people that will not attempt to learn english somewhat lazy (sorry if I offend anyone). When I walk into my local Chinese restaurant, the owner and his family all speak English fluently. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand them, but they can communicate in English. When I go into our local Italian restaurant, the Italians all speak English to their customers even though they immigrated here not too long ago. They will speak Italian amongst themselves, but they understand English. For generations when people came to this country to make a better life for themselves, they learned to integrate into society. Why should now be any different?
Now, they want me to change my language so I can order food at my restaurant. They want to give them drivers licenses without them being legal aliens....I did a lot to get my drivers license when I was 16. It must be nice to go to the DMV, not even be a legal alien in this country, not speak English, and walk out with a drivers license. Our state requires all motorists to have auto insurance, but that concept escapes many of the aliens here. Get a license in another state, transfer it to Maryland, put keys in car and go. If you get pulled over or in an accident, give them one of the 4 names you use as aliases because you are not a legal alien. There is no way to track them down.
Think about this the next time your driving down the road and get into an accident. Could the other driver be an illegal alien who was given a license by the state. They don't really know who he is because he was an illegal alien given a license without a birth certificate...you can't really know his/her identity. Then you find out they didn't have any insurance. That other driver gets off the hook and you get stuck with all the bills. You couldn't sue the other person because you really don't know who they are or where they are from. I find it a form of laziness...instead of doing it by the book the way its been done for generations, have everyone evolve around you.