English needs to be made official language in U.S.

This is a letter I've sent to President Bush.

English has been the primary language in the United States since its
birth, but English is under attack. The fear of many, and it is a real
threat, is that more and more jobs are requiring bilingual applicants.
This is a thinly veiled way of saying you must speak Spanish to get the
job.

This is extremely backwards Mr. President. When I attended school in
the 1980s, only students bound for college were required to take two
years of a foreign language. Many of my friends took German, French, or
Japanese (the languages of business). I chose Spanish because I figured
I might visit Mexico some day; Europe or Asia seemed less likely.

Now my Spanish is not even close to fluent, not enough to use in the
workplace. I could study more, but why? Why are Americans being
required to learn the language of the latest wave of immigrants? Never
before in our history has the burden of language been placed on the
citizens in favor of the language of the immigrant population.

What's more, I want to know how this can be considered "equal
treatment" when there are millions of immigrants that do not speak
Spanish. Why does Spanish deserve such special treatment? In Grand
Island alone there are over 25 first languages. Americans cannot and
should not be expected to learn 25 languages or more. We cannot and
should not be expected to post signs in 25 or more languages.

English is our commonality, our unifying force. It's time we made
English the official language of the entire country; the only language
used in business, schools and government. Foreign languages should
still be taught and encouraged (to make us competitive), but they
should not be required to go to the local market or to get a job as a
secretary or clerk.

Mr. President, I know you have an affinity for Spanish, as do I, but as
Americans it is our duty to protect the majority of Americans. It is
our duty to create unity. Our language is what allows open discourse.
It is what allows Americans to participate in government. It is part of
what makes us, immigrants from all over the planet, Americans.

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