The debate over [tag]immigration[/tag] policy has become so unbelievably silly, it’s come to this.
After an emotional debate fraught with symbolism, the Senate yesterday voted to make [tag]English[/tag] the “[tag]national[/tag] [tag]language[/tag]” of the United States, declaring that no one has a right to federal communications or services in a language other than English except for those already guaranteed by law.
The measure, approved 63 to 34, directs the government to “preserve and enhance” the role of English, without altering current laws that require some government documents and services be provided in other languages. Opponents, however, said it could negate executive orders, regulations, civil service guidances and other multilingual ordinances not officially sanctioned by acts of Congress.
Apparently, Sen. James [tag]Inhofe[/tag] (R-Okla.), who pushed this idea yesterday, wanted to make English the “[tag]official[/tag]” language, but couldn’t muster enough votes to pass it. Instead, English has been designated the “national” language as a powerful symbolic statement of America’s … English-speaking ways. Or something. It’s not entirely clear.
The Inhofe proposal was a hit with [tag]Republicans[/tag], who seem anxious to prove to their conservative base that they may not be able to pass an immigration bill, but they can show how unilingual they are. Of the 34 opposing votes, there were 32 Dems, one independent who votes with the Dems (Jeffords), and one Republican who represents a state with a large [tag]Hispanic[/tag] population (New Mexico’s Pete Domenici). I guess the GOP didn’t want to compete for Hispanic votes in the future anyway.
In fact, that strikes me as the dumbest part of yesterdays’ “debate.” It has almost no discernable substantive effect on immigration policies, but goes a long way in offending [tag]Spanish[/tag]-speaking Americans.
“This is devastating,” said Raul Gonzalez, legislative director of the National Council of [tag]La Raza[/tag], after the English-language vote. “For us, this is a tough issue to bring back to the community.”
The whole spat just seems so … unneccessary. The United States has thrived for over two centuries without a “national” language, but now we need one? Our culture and national identity are so threatened by Hispanic immigration that the Senate needs to make it abundantly clear — through a largely meaningless resolution — that the United States is an English-speaking country? The message Inhofe and his allies seemed to convey yesterday that the U.S. is so delicate, the Spanish language is somehow dangerous.
It also reeks of desperation. It’s an election year, the GOP is down in the polls, and conservatives want action on immigration, so Republicans decide it’s time to declare a “national” language. Somehow, I suspect Rush Limbaugh & Co. won’t be satisfied with the empty gesture. Call it a hunch.
If there’s a sensible explanation for yesterday’s Senate theatrics, it’s hiding well.