I often pride myself in being what most liberals hate more than anything: a truly compassionate conservative. Yes folks, I think we should be kind to our fellow man, and believe that if more people would just think about something besides their own self-interests just a little more then we'd be lightyears ahead in our domestic problems. My patience, however has it's limits. One of these limits is the lengths to which most politicians will go not to offend the spanish speaking population. There is no monopoly on common sense on either side of that political fence, as even the Republicans are afraid to introduce legislation declaring English the one official language of this great nation. If we are not careful, we will end up like Canada, and have two official languages, and God help us if we have to learn french.
Visiting a country is one thing. I am very pleased to have individuals from countries that our government trusts visit our great nation. Please come and spend your money before you leave. You can buy some souveneirs from America that were more than likely made in your own country. I don't mind helping tourists out, I can be an idiot and talk louder and more slowly to anyone that doesn't understand english and wonder why they just look at me. On the other hand, I can't for the life of me understand how someone can move to a foreiign country and not try to learn the native language. It's just rude. The dolphin-riders, owl-kissers, and box turtle fornicators of the world get mad at people who think like me, and tell me that trying to get them to assimilate is humiliating and not respecting their culture. Well, how respectful is it of my culture if they move into my country and expect me to make all of the compromises? Let's have some legislation that benefits Americans for a change.
rant over,
Jeff C.
