Nashville Voting on English as Official Language

Today thousands of Nashvillians will go to the polls and vote for or against the English language referendum. Both sides have stated that taxpayers will loose if either vote wins. Makes me wonder which is correct. If Nashville chooses to make English the official language, how will that affect those who cannot speak English? If Nashville votes down the referendum, what difference will it make? Our country still provides for equal rights to all people regardless of race, creed or religion. So, it seems that this election is going to cost taxpayers a lot even if the vote is finally for or against.

Some say, they are for all people as long as it does not infringe on their freedom to be financially independent. These people want those who immigrate here to work for their needs and not become dependent on those who have already worked to make their way. They point to the way immigration was decades ago and believe governmental programs have become too generous and regulations have become lax.

Others feel that all who are in need of services and help should be able to access it through the government - local, state and federal (taxes). I understand the federal government allows legal immigrants to live here and work here for a period of time without paying taxes in order to get their "feet on the ground." We understand there are hundreds of dialects in our nation at this time and more coming. The government also provides translators for those who need services.

We have come through the "salad bowl" era and the "melting pot" era. What is next? Some may be wanting the full course meal with all the trimmings without any work ethic. Some may want to be selfish and hold on to their full course meal and not share with those in need. Perhaps it would do us some good in this nation to all eat "soup" for a while. I'm sure those who were around in the Great Depression of the late 1920's and 1930's could share some good pointers on how to be thankful for what we have and to share with those who are in need. Maybe we need to be involved in more pressing matters than what language people speak.

Here are some headlines from the Great Depression.

Headlines of 1932

U.S STEEL LAYS OFF ANOTHER 10,000
GENERAL MOTORS STOCK DOWN FROM $500 A SHARE TO $10 A SHARE
CHICAGO TEACHERS FEED 11,000 HUNGRY CHILDREN
IOWA CORN WAY DOWN IN PRICE
SALE-SALE-SALE SUITS AND COATS FOR $15
KENTUCKY COAL MINERS FOUND LIVING ON DANDELIONS
N.Y.C. COPS TO CARRY LIST OF CHARITIES TO DIRECT THE HELPLESS
110 CHILDREN IN N.Y.C. DIE FROM MALNUTRITION

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE?