Have you noticed that many Internet Websites now display flags for a variety of nations. You can click on the flag symbol for a country and then the website text changes to the national or official language for that country. However, under our US Flag, two language choices are offered - English or Spanish - perhaps because we have no declared "national or official" language?
Over the years our various Congresses have never successfully passed legislation to declare English as our National or Official Language. There have been some failed legislative attempts to do this in years past but even last year our "courageous" Senate thought that it would be better to consider English as our "common and unifying" language, rather than taking a stand to make English our National or Official Language. Isn't it funny that while we do not have English as our National or Official Language, many other countries throughout the world have no problem in declaring English as their National/Official Language (even some in Africa).
By doing nothing, even weakening the rules for legal immigrants to learn English before becoming citizens and by printing Government Informational Documents and Voter Ballots in Spanish, our US Legislators have allowed "Spanish" to gain status as THE alternative language to "English" for our country! Now, our Legislators (backed by President Bush) are going even further - with Democrats and many Republicans tripping over each other in a stampede to gain credit for passing Legislation to make millions of Mexican Illegal Aliens into voting, US Citizens through an amnesty process - more voters - more power for the political party who gets the credit.
Our new Senate, now led by Democrats, is working on another "Comprehensive (Illegal) Immigration" bill that would provide a "pathway" to citizenship (or amnesty) for many of the 11-20 million illegal aliens (most from Mexico) living in our country. The newly elected Democratic Leaders in both the House and Senate have made it quite clear that passing this bill will be high on the new agenda - and - there will be little provision (or none) for funding the 700 miles of border fencing promised in the bill passed by the previous, Republican-controlled Senate and House.
The new Leaders have also made it quite clear that they plan to join with President Bush in pushing through this (amnesty) legislation in both the Senate and House. President Bush and the new Leaders are joining together to "exert Influence" on Legislators who are asking "Why now, what is the urgency?", questioning the timing and costs when there are so many other pressing issues to handle.
The new Democratic Leaders in the Senate and House are working together with Senators Kennedy and McCain on this updated (amnesty) bill with input and strong support from our own Florida Senator Mel Martinez, the newly appointed Head of the National Republican Committee. Both Florida Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez voted in favor of the 2006 "Comprehensive Immigration Bill," passed in the Senate last year but blocked by the Republican controlled House. It is expected that they both will vote for the repackaging of this legislation when it comes to the new Senate for discussion and vote, perhaps as early as next week.
Take time to call Senators Mel Martinez (813-207-0509) and Bill Nelson (813-225-7040) to give them your opinions before they vote on this soon-coming legislation. Your Senators and your District's Congressman may also be reached through the Capitol switchboard, 202-224-3121.
