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There are plenty of immigrants who have a grasp of the English language, but are still more comfortable speaking and communicating at times in their mother tongue.
Don’t forget what he was saying. He was trying to convince Hispanics that Trump is NOT a conservative. What do they care? I don’t sense a rush of Hispanics to vote for conservatives, true or not. And don’t forget, even Bush will lose the Hispanic vote and with the electoral college it may not matter by ho much. This is a trick they pull on us every 4 years.
I call it bad timing. At a time that he is suspected of having dual loyalties, speaking Spanish is not very smart. Besides, Rush said something interesting. Exactly how many conservatives are in the Hispanic community (if we can believe what we are told) that Bush is trying to woo them in Spanish? This also shows that he doesn’t believe a common language is a glue that holds together.
I agree, and just who is advocating for English "only"? No, many just want English as our "official" language.
Immigrants can't vote so why appeal to them in their native tongue for votes?
Many/most immigrants become naturalized citizens. You don't stop being an immigrant when you become an American. They may learn enough English to pass the citizenship test but that doesn't mean they necessarily fluid in both languages.
Don’t forget what he was saying. He was trying to convince Hispanics that Trump is NOT a conservative. What do they care? I don’t sense a rush of Hispanics to vote for conservatives, true or not. And don’t forget, even Bush will lose the Hispanic vote and with the electoral college it may not matter by ho much. This is a trick they pull on us every 4 years.
I'm certainly no fan of Jeb, but keep in mind he was speaking in Miami. Also the fact that south Florida has a large Spanish speaking Cuban population especially around Hialeah (which is a heavily Republican and Cuban city right outside Miami). The Cuban vote has drifted more Democratic in recent years to the growing influence of younger 2nd and 3rd generation Cubans. However, first generation middle age and older Cubans are still heavily Republican, and are pretty much the base of the Republican Party in south Florida
Relations with Cuba animated the Cubans in Miami. With that off the table, I am not sure what makes them conservative anymore. I am sure they like the largess of the Federal government as much as anybody.
What a snob Trump is! I'll bet his German immigrant parents had to struggle to learn English and spoke German long after coming here. Freedom of speech covers---guess what---all speech! First generation Americans have always used two languages and understood their native language the best.
I call it the reality of the 21st Century United States. Also, we seem to forget that Spanish speaking people were here long before the first British settlers showed up at Jamestown. Do you think St. Augustine, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and San Juan were settled by us Gringos?
Opposing illegal immigration is one thing but what reason do we have to oppose Spanish other than bigotry, ignorance, and nativism? Why not replace English Only with English+?
The reality of 21st century America is that people don't need to learn Spanish. They can if they want to. Or they can learn any other second language they choose. Or, unlike most of the world, they can just remain monolingual and suffer no ill consequence. This is an extremely privileged position to be in and there is no good reason to **** it away. An English/Spanish bilingual America, where learning Spanish is pretty much required, would be great for Hispanics who can learn the language at home as children. But it would suck for everyone else.
The reality of 21st century America is that people don't need to learn Spanish. They can if they want to. Or they can learn any other second language they choose. Or, unlike most of the world, they can just remain monolingual and suffer no ill consequence. This is an extremely privileged position to be in and there is no good reason to **** it away. An English/Spanish bilingual America, where learning Spanish is pretty much required, would be great for Hispanics who can learn the language at home as children. But it would suck for everyone else.
Why are many Americans so disdainful to those who speak more than one language?
While I am not a fan of Jeb, instead of applauding fluency in more than one language we smugly, ignorantly abhor anything but English spoken in these United States.
I realize English is a global language, and many educated people all over the world speak it.
I have been abroad many times and am well aware of the proximity of European counties making it almost mandatory for them to pick up other languages.
But there is a certain arrogance with Americans with close proximity to Mexico who refuse to speak Spanish, and Trump, actually berates someone who can.
Why are many Americans so disdainful to those who speak more than one language?
While I am not a fan of Jeb, instead of applauding fluency in more than one language we smugly, ignorantly abhor anything but English spoken in these United States.
I realize English is a global language, and many educated people all over the world speak it.
I have been abroad many times and am well aware of the proximity of European counties making it almost mandatory for them to pick up other languages.
But there is a certain arrogance with Americans with close proximity to Mexico who refuse to speak Spanish, and Trump, actually berates someone who can.
I agree that no one should be criticized for speaking a foreign language with their own family or friends. But Jeb is campaigning for President of the United States. Is it really too much to ask that he do it in the language of Americans?
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