This year I was one of the many high school students working the polls at election time. It was overall pretty mindnumbing work, but a darned good way of making a hundred plus dollars in a day's work. There was one issue that just kept popping up though. The ballot was written in both English and Spanish.
Elderly people came up, complaining they couldn't read the ballot because the print was too small. The reason the print was so small was because they had to stick so much material onto the ballots.
Personally, I don't believe ballots in the U.S. should be in any language other than English. You come to the United States; you speak our language. We'll give you all the benefits of our beloved country, but all we ask, is that you speak our language. I don't see what's so difficult about that.
Somewhere along the same lines....when we were having the whole controversy regarding illegal immigrants. In my city, it was common to see Mexican flags flying high. Yeah...not in Mexico anymore. That really rubbed me wrong.
its kinda hard learning english u think?
I'm sure it is, but when you've lived in the United States for over 10 years and haven't even made an attempt and really, why make an attempt when we cater to other languages, that's when it's wrong. I have broadcast television and receive more Spanish speaking stations than English, including Spanish MTV. I understand it's difficult, but when you're reaping the benefits of living in the U.S., one should at least attempt to learn their language.
i sorta agree. i believe that they should at least attempt to learn english. i know i hated it when people come up and expect me to know a different language.
I can understand if they've only been, legally, in the country for a year or so. But when they've been here for 5, 10, 15 years and they haven't even attempted to learn English? When their kids have to translate for them? When hospitals have to hire translators for them? That's when it's too much.
ya ya i agree. the thing that bugs me the most is when little kids come up speaking english for their parents. however, at the same time i have tried to learn a language and its not easy.
Oh yeah. I understand the difficulties of learning a new language. I spent three tedious years learning Spanish in school and really...I accomplished nothing. I know how to say, Hello, how are you and my coat is blue...but that's about it. That still doesn't change my stance though, if someone is reaping the benefits a country has to offer, they need to do everything they can to give back to said country. In order to do that, they need to be able to understand what the majority of the country is saying...
true
If they write it in Spanish why not other languages? It should just be in English
And that's what it will come to. Here in CA, we're getting a fast growing Hmong population. Sooner or later, we'll be releasing ballots in Hmong...then it'll be the signs in Wal-Mart. Somewhere the line has got to be drawn.
I think that the ballots should be written in English only. If people are serious about living and thriving in this country, they need to be learning English. By accommodating them in places like Walmart and polling-booths, we are enabling them to live here and not learn the language.
I understand food packages and such being in two languages, but voting ballots? I don't have a problem with immigrants by any means, but i think you need to have a good grasp of English if you want to be involved in the political process. The same can also be said for people who are illiterate. Learn to read the ballot, or you don't vote. Simple as that.