Replies to post #18797 on Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[sarals]

but then some days we hear of things like legislating away the right to speak a tongue of choice,

If I believed that was what English as official language was about, I would not support it. I just think you are assumming intentions that are not there.

[extelecom]

Marcos, In Sweden everyone learns English in school, they have realized that English is a common business language. The U.S. can not afford to be everything to everybody. I see no racism.

[sarai]

marcos, I have been accused time and again of being a "liberal" on this thread. What "liberal" is, exactly, and why "liberal" is a bad thing, I have no idea. But I am not an uncompassionate person. Yet all this "help them" talk has me a bit confused. Help who, those who are here legally, illegally, or both?...

As I posted earlier, I have a friend who immigrated here from Russia several yrs ago. He and his family came here with nothing, literally, and did not speak the English language. The entire family has become successful, productive members of US society. And despite cultural differences, these people assimilated into life in the US, tho never abandoning their identity. They succeeded because they helped themselves, not because they looked to the gov for a handout. Initially, the handup came from family and friends living in this country.

Ultimately, the choice to succeed or fail lies with the individual, not gov.