During a segment on Lou Dobbs, Governor Matt Blunt, (R) Missouri, on a state constitutional amendment making English the language of all governmental meetings:
“The public discussion and public votes, those will be in English, that’s the language that Americans use to follow democracy.”
Ok, I know it makes sense to use English in government because that’s how we’ve been doing things for generations. But following democracy does not become like climbing Mt. Everest just because of a language barrier. The Governor said there were reports that council meetings were being held in another language. Oooook. Evidence? Be more descriptive? Until proven otherwise, I’m assuming he means that people were speaking in Spanish. Most people can at least say “hello” and “yes” or “no” in that language. Spanish-speakers have lived and worked in this country for a very long time and hearing said language should not provoke intimidation. I also have a problem even believing that a legitimate, open town council meeting was being held entirely in any language but English. Perhaps there was a portion held in another language so the hard workers of the town (citizens or not) who are employed by American citizens could understand what was going on. That may not have been the case, it could have been any other language(s), but I can’t help but imagine.
Now, to his credit, the Governor did say that making English the official language of the state did not mean that people could not have translators. But still, as smoothly as the Governor spoke and composed himself (unlike his presidential candidate) I think the amendment a bit unnecessary and boorish. I have no problem with Missouri conducting all governmental meetings in English, I wouldn’t assume otherwise, but worrying that democracy will not be followed because another language is being spoken, well, unfortunately for the Governor, the best word I can use to describe such an amendment is mal-educado.
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