Vilsack May Have Problems With Latinos

[DrFunkenstein]

DES MOINES, Iowa - Gov. Tom Vilsack, a potential vice presidential candidate, signed a measure two years ago declaring English the state's official language. That could hurt his chances of joining the Democratic ticket.

Iowa's English-only measure and dozens like it nationwide draw virtually unanimous and vehement opposition from Hispanics, an important Democratic constituency, who view them as thinly veiled racism. Hispanics, the nation's largest and fastest-growing minority group, are being eagerly courted by Democrat John Kerry and President Bush.

The English-only bill was hotly debated for two years before it passed the Republican-controlled Legislature in February 2002. Liberal and labor groups urged Vilsack to veto it and staged vigils at his home and the Statehouse. Backers cited polls showing overwhelming support for the bill and said they were hardly surprised that he signed it.

Aides said Vilsack decided to make Iowa the 27th state with such a law because the measure was more symbolic. Influencing Vilsack's decision was a $1 million increase for programs to teach English as a second language, which the governor said was more important.

At the time, Vilsack had his share of political headaches — from a stagnant economy to deep spending cuts that forced state worker layoffs — and was in a poor position to pick a fight that polls showed wouldn't be helpful.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040617/ap_on_el_pr/vilsack_english&cid=694&ncid=2043

[Alpharetta]

1. funny how the same act would HELP a Republican

pandering to the racists is always a safe bet if you're a rightwinger.

[JI7]

2. this is not good, but don't think it will hurt much since republicans

are not opposed to what he did. and if they take issue with it some republicans might get angry at them and not vote for them.

[CTLawGuy]

3. another Democrat

with no spine....


Why is this guy being considered?

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. As a non-PC Hispanic, ...

this is not a huge issue, y'all. A FEW so-called 'leaders' in the Hispanic community get their PC panties in a wad about this and try to convince everyone that HUGE numbers of Hispanics agree with them. Guess what? Most of us don't. MOST of us think that EVERYONE should learn to speak English, if you plan on living here long-term, no matter where you came from.

Don't buy the hype.

[MallRat]

5. Cue Bill Richardson!

anyone? anyone?

[cally]

6. Not good

Dems need to secure the latino/a vote over the long term. I think this will hurt in the Cali, Az, and NM.

[Leilani]

7. Why is it racist to make English the official language?

The article says this means official govt business will be conducted in English.

I have nothing against people speaking their native language...I live in Hawaii, where many, many people speak foreign languages.

Every ethnic group that immigrated here, came with their own language, if it was not English.

I love the fact that America is a melting pot, but we cannot conduct official business in every foreign language used.

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. As the child of immigrants myself, ...

WELL SAID! :thumbsup:`

[Leilani]

9. Thanks!

I know it is not a popular position with some people, but it just makes common sense.

My own choice is to live in a place that is diverse, because its much more interesting, culturally.

[dryan]

10. Mixed emotions about this issue

My father's family was originally from Romania. My grandfather knew a total of one word when he arrived in America -- "Hello". He made a plan to learn five new words a day and kept a diary of all the new English words he learned. I still have a few of these little notebooks. He also lived in a part of Ohio where there weren't many other people like himself so that probably had a lot to do with the fact that he had to learn English FAST.

I think that for a sense of self-pride and upper mobility (i.e., not being taken advantage of) people should learn English if they come to live in this country. I would not think of moving to France or Germany and then say I'm not going to learn your language. On the other hand, especially in some parts of the country, there are large pockets of areas where another language is the norm and many people who live there--especially older people either speak that language or are uncomfortable in English. There are many older Cuban-Americans in South Florida who do not understand English.