What do you think about billingual ballots?

Question

I think it is stupid.

Answer 1

It makes sense. Some people ARE American citizens but struggle with English. You wouldn't want them to vote for the wrong person just because they couldn't read the ballot. Right?

I see many people bringing "issues" into play. And I'd like to mention that they could have been very interested in the issues. There are many Spanish (and other language) news channels in the U.S. that cover American issues (as well as closed captioning in other languages) in which case they'd understand them perfectly. So that can't be used in a debate against multi-lingual ballots.

There's multi-lingual tax forms and they pay American taxes, so why should voting be treated differently? If they are American citizens they have EVERY right to vote as one. (Actually probably even MORE of a right then random rednecks in nowheresville USA that don't even have a tv to watch the debates or anything else.)

Just thought of an analogy here (I'm not trying to start a fight, just make a good debate).
Say you were taking a foreign language in school or something. We'll say French. You're pretty good at it, but not great. It's still a little tough. Then you go to France and still hang out with a lot of your English-speaking friends and family and use English a lot. Don't practice your French too much. Then you need to do something REALLY important. Would you want to do it in French? I mean, your French isn't all that good, and it IS really important, you wouldn't want to mess anything up. You would ask to do it in English. Right? (personally, I know I would).
Same thing.

Again, no offense (seriously, I don't want to piss anyone off, I'm not being sarcastic or anything), I'm just trying to help make a sturdy, well-founded argument. Many people don't seem to have a clear grasp on WHY exactly we have multi-lingual ballots. I think it's perfectly fair and everyone should have a chance. But hey, that's just me :-)

PS: Back to Bow Wow. I know it takes 7 years to become a citizen. But have you ever tried to learn an entire language in 7 years? It's HARD! I mean seriously HARD. I have been taking Spanish for almost 9 years and I'm STILL not fluent and I've studied abroad twice. And Spanish and English are at least somewhat similar languages. What about if they're from Japan? They need to learn a whole new alphabet, new numbers, a new political system, new everything! That must be even harder! So that can't really be used as an excuse either.

Answer 2

I think it's a good idea... if you are a citizen of this country and don't speak english you still have the right to vote like everyone else...not allowing billingual ballots is just a way of thwarting democracy.

Answer 3

Bilingual ballots furthers the divide between Americans whose native language is English and immigrants who become American citizens but choose not to learn the native language of the country they are now citizens of. Every American citizen should be able to read the ballot printed in English. If you can't you should be stripped of your citizenship until you can.

To Chica: It takes 5-7 years to become a naturalized citizen. If someone cannot learn English that period of time that tells me they are not trying. I don't favor multilingual tax forms either, but the reality of tax forms is that not all tax payers are U.S. citizens. Many people from other countries work in the U.S. much like U.S. citizens work in other countries.

Chica: Not to debate you, I respect your thoughts. This is one particular issue that is pretty sticky. Do you realize that most foreign countries do teach their students English? In all fairness, the U.S. school system does not require learning a foreign language for graduation. My point is valid. I don't expect anyone to speak, read or write perfect English to earn citizenship. Learning a language is a life-long process. All I ask is for naturalized citizens to speak the native language of this country.

Answer 4

I think that our official language is English, and if you want to live in our country, then you have to expect to speak as we do. Bilingual ballots are another step in the loss of our culture...which has already changed dramatically. The United States is known as a "Melting Pot," which is very true, but there have to be certain uniting factors, such as language. As it is, there seem to be two very distinct sects: those who speak English, and those who speak Spanish. Unfortunately, the Spanish seem to be overwhelming the rest of America's culture...which means America will lose it's uniqueness.

Answer 5

I certainly don't believe that people who speak a language other than English are of lower intelligence than English speakers, but I think it is stupid from this angle--if they can't speak English, how do they even know the agendas of the people they are voting for. Most politicians don't go campaigning in Czech or Spanish.

Answer 6

Again, we are pandering to the demands of illegal Mexicans who want it all for nothing.

In addition, imagine the potential for even MORE corruption at the ballot!

We need to demand that English be our OFFICIAL LANGUAGE, not just the NATIONAL LANGUAGE. By becoming the official language, all legal matters must be done in English.....now isn't that a novel idea!

Answer 7

All American Ballots should be in Anglo-Saxon (English) not Spanish or any other language.

If one wants to speak Spanish they can go live in Mexico.

Answer 8

If you haven't made the commitment to study our language enough to vote in English, then the odds are you haven't studied the issues enough to make an informed decision.

Answer 9

Maybe Brail is ok...but any other languge NO F-ing WAY!!! That is just ridiculous...our forefathers would be rolling over in their graves (if they haven't been already looking at the current state of the democratic party)...

Answer 10

I hope it never becomes a reality....if it is in some places, I hope it goes the way of the dinosaurs.....If you are going to vote for American candiadates, you need to speak English...