Exactly 'Who' Were The Democrats Trying To Appeal To By Having A Debate In Spanish ?

Question

BTW , this is basically a spoon-fed question to allow the liberal democrats on here to admit that this was a bad idea . Who could the candidates have been attempting to impress ? Americans who cannot speak English ? Isn't it the immigrant's responsibility as a new American to learn the English language ? . .... Careful what you answer because any answer in defense of this must also include the acknowledgment that there are other non-English speaking immigrants . So in order to be fair , you'd have to agree that they should have debates in Gaelic , and Italian , and Greek , and Russian , and Polish , and Chinese , and Japanese , and Farsi , and Yiddish , and German , and etc. , and etc. And THAT my friend would be ridiculous !!

Now what do you think ?

Answer 1

They think they are going to gain votes by doing this but they are not taking into account the votes they will lose from the people who smell sour milk about their actions.

I think it shows how desperate they are.

Its a fantastic point you make about how they only feel obligated to cater to one set of immigrants.

I could care less how many people speak spanish in America, that stat just goes to show we have allowed the problem to continue for far too long. When I moved to Russia they didnt print things in english to cater to me Of course I showed enough respect to learn their language.

And for IDB83---They are learning english quickly?? are you kidding me. Have you ever been to south florida where entire towns have billboards and shops in spanish. Where if you dont speak spanish you feel like you are on vacation as you have to point at stuff to get anything. Sorry Not my responsibility to learn spanish it should be my choice. Just as it was my responsibility to learn Russian when I moved there it is their duty to learn english.

Answer 2

Sorry, we do NOT have a twin language nation. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution weren't written in any language rather than English. As some distance as so much humans are worried, the one language of the land is the language of legislation and industry, and within the USA that's English, or an Americanized variation of what the British were making use of for rather a while. Spanish is NOT identified as a language of legislation or industry within the USA. Having a debate in yet another language was once effortlessly a courtesy and one that I protest in opposition to. I am worn out of accommodating international languages. My vote bills me extra as a taxpayer due to the fact ballots are revealed in a number of languages. Why? I regularly notion it was once a demand to turn out to be a citizen that English was once understood, however that turns out to have long past via the wayside because it's obvious that having ballots in different languages way we're acknowledging that English is now not required to be a citizen, a minimum of now not one that votes. So, the reply to how we will be able to advertise a twin language, is useful, WE (the bulk) DON'T. We have now not and the bulk won't advertise a twin language as a typical rule. And sure, I believe it's unsuitable that the Dems are advertising a debate in Spanish, which I bet signifies that despite the fact that I am unbiased and comply with NO social gathering line, I am much more likely to head Republican despite the fact that I certainly HATE Dubya and Company. Dubya will likely be compelled to go away in one million yr, 133 days, 19 hours and 33 mins as I write this access (or so my countdown clock tells me. YMMV).

Answer 3

Personally I think it's a "trap" the future Democrat will use against their "rivals" after the nomination process is complete. Other debates have been on Univision and the translations have always been provided, there's nothing new with that. However, the Democratic nominee will perhaps invite the Republican nominee to debates sponsored by the all these special interest groups, gay/lesbian association, Spanish speaking tv, and probably the save the daffodil foundation...and if the Republican nominee declines to do so the finger pointing for intolerance already shown in the post above will continue.

Answer 4

I guess they're trying to appeal to the Spanish speaking voters in this country. As for the other non English speaking immigrants, I'm guessing that anyone that immigrated here and speaks Gaelic, also speaks English, the same with Tagalog, most of them that immigrate here also speak English, since it is an official language in the Philippines. Anyway, if they just do debates in Spanish and English, they risk alienating the other immigrant groups, unless they plan to have debates in every language in the world.

edit: Maybe they should do all their debates in Esperanto.

Answer 5

The democrats are trying to position themselves for the Hispanic vote. Here is the deal. The illegal immigrants here will have children. At least two if not more kids over here. Those children are automatically American citizens. Now if you were that child, when you become 18, would you vote for the party that deported mommy and daddy? That is why Bush had such a hard on to pass that immigration bill. He knew that would help the Republicans retain power in the future. Like it or not, you can't boot out 12000000 people. If they get deported, their children in the future will come back and they have a right to vote.

Answer 6

I did not leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me. - this is a perfect case and point!

It turns my stomach to see that. All the Democratic presidential candidates support Illegal Immigration. Clinton and Obama voted for the Bush/Kennedy Amnesty Bill.

I am a Middle Class Union member.

Registered Independent.

Tom Tancredo for President!

Answer 7

It never ceases to amaze me how xenophobic & isolationist some in the U.S. have become. First of all yes to become a citizen you must pass a proficiency exam. However there are exceptions made for older people. Regardless of this if you can listen to a debate in your native language there are nuances that will be much clearer to you and you will also be more likely to get more actively involved in the process.

One of our biggest problems in this country is the lack of involvement in the election process. We have one of the lowest voting rates in the world. Blood has been shed for the privilege of freedom and the right to vote--yet we let our apathy take those rights for granted! Even when we do actually vote some of us don't do our homework and vote on who "looks" or "sounds" better based on 30 second ads or photo ops. In terms of people assimilating it is absolutely normal for the first generation of those immigrants to still embrace their native language even after learning English. Instead of getting upset over the Spanish why don't you consider taking a lesson from most of the European countries where the majority of the people speak 3 to 5 languages fluently.

The criticism about immigrants not learning English or embracing the culture has been leveled at the immigrants of all of the countries throughout our history during each successive wave of immigration. We do not need to pass a law requiring English to be the "official" language since everything has worked well without the designation for over 200 years. Using the excuse of English as the official language would be used as an excuse to discriminate and would serve only to create further rifts.

And by the way--our Government funds radio stations and programs in multiple languages to serve to influence the governments and political systems in many countries so I believe it is only fair that our political parties embrace and honor as many languages as they can. Also if other communities (the ones you mention) have as large a population and media--I believe they should also offer the translations for them--it cannot hurt to get as many people involved as possible.

FYI--in case someone says why don't Hispanics try learning English--many of them are trying in spite of the negative sterotypes people are claiming. In my family everyone one speaks two to five languages.

The path to true peace here and throughout our world is through embracing, understanding & honoring the language, cultures & customs of others, It takes courage to walk the path of understanding not just refusing to enter talks because we believe we are right and therefore everyone else is wrong. Open your minds and hearts--it is the only key to our survival.

Answer 8

I think that is the problem now democrats are appealing to those who do not want to accept the american way of life or how to fit into its culture. My grandfather was happy with giving up the language of his ancestors and learning English, being a brave soldier in WWI and making a life for himself and his family in the US.

Answer 9

I am independent, I try to personally review the issues to decide what I believe, I thought this was a real good question until I saw it was more liberal/conservative banter.

I swear you guys wont be satisfied until we have political affiliations such as : Blue Republican federalist pro-econom-conserv-revisionist variation 2 specification 5

we should not adapt spanish as a second official language, it hasn't exactly cleared the train of thought for progress for any other country, I believe one of our elected officials refereed to it as the language of the ghetto

Edit- 'Esperanto' is a good point, I would be more accepting of that than spanish.
The bottom line is the way you speak is the way you think, and i don't see any reason to start thinking in spanish.

Answer 10

Ah....isn't it more important to WHAT'S said rather than the language it's said in? After all, everything said will be translated. By the way, years ago all kinds of politcians went around to ethnic neighborhoods and spoke to people in their language......what's new? Even Bush spoke to some people in spanish...did you know he spoke spanish? Hopefully better than his English. Most of the Kennedy's speak French.....Guliani speaks Italian....Why can't you folks just address the issues and leave the 'swift-boating' alone? Hey...there's a question I'll post...maybe you can answer it!