Language Is Market Driven

In the much ado about nothing file, Think Progress seems to be having some fun with language and President Bush today.

Today Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said that President Bush “has never supported making English the national language.” But earlier this morning, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said Bush supported efforts in the Senate to do just that:

As you know, there were actually a couple of amendments that came up yesterday, an Inhofe amendment and also a Salazar amendment. And what has come out of that is a description of English as the national language. And I think — and we have supported both of these. … And I think both of these amendments are consistent with that stated presidential desire. posted here

Why not simply go to the source for what Bush actually said:

Even President Bush has embraced the importance of immigrants learning to speak English. In his address to the nation Monday night, President Bush said, "The success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society and embrace our common identity as Americans."

Bush called the English language "the key to unlocking the opportunity of America."

Putting symbolism and silly political arguments over symbolic gestures aside, language is market driven. Unlike many nations, Americans can travel around the world and, to a good extent, find their language accommodated, if not the language of choice.

Conservatives and Americans in general should think about that and not get caught up in the silly sideshows and symbolism which develop around every significant piece of legislation today.

We need to get the immigration issue resolved as best we can and move on to other just as significant challenges in the world. With language being market driven, if we aren't careful, we could all be taking classes in Chinese regardless of whether an immigration bill is passed, or not.

Comments

[sigmund, carl and alfred]

Thank you. Clarity can be refreshing, you know?