2005 Enlish only bill?

[americanidolatry]

Hi, I was just reading about the bill introduced in 2005 to make English the official language of the US. I've been under the impression that this is a states issue. It was even deemed questionable enough to be referred to the Subcommitee on the Constitution. So it was surprising to see Ron Paul listed as a cosponsor. Anyone have some insight on this?

[americanidolatry]

Never mind. Just found my answer.
A: Well, it’s practical because we can all understand each other. I sometimes think that those who attack bilingualism sometimes are jealous, & we feel inferior, because we’re not capable. But we should have one language. But we, as federal officials, as a congressman or a president, we only have authority over the federal government. So I think all federal things should be in English. But when it comes to bilingualism in schools or the states, under our Constitution, it really is permissible. And the states can decide that. But under the conditions that we have today, I think it is good and proper to have one language, which would be English, for all legal matters at the national level. But this doesn’t preclude bilingualism in private use or in education or in local government.It was only for federal government business.

[FrankRep]

H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2005
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-997



To declare English as the official language of the United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to avoid misconstructions of the English language texts of the laws of the United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to provide for the general welfare of the United States and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.



U.S. Constitution - Article 1 Section 8 (http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A1Sec8.html)


The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

[inibo]

I mean no disrespect to a new member [welcome aboard americanidolatry], but this has got to be about the best case of Thread Title Fail I've ever seen. :D

[MikeStanart]

I mean no disrespect to a new member [welcome aboard americanidolatry], but this has got to be about the best case of Thread Title Fail I've ever seen. :D

HAHAH very true!

[americanidolatry]

Haha! Sorry. I'm on an iPhone. Tough to proofread and edit. I didn't catch the typo (or the obviously flawed title, even without the typo) until after it posted. Thanks for the input! To FrankRep, thanks for the info. I guess next time I'll RTFB, huh? Thanks :-)

[inibo]

Haha! Sorry. I'm on an iPhone. Tough to proofread and edit. I didn't catch the typo (or the obviously flawed title, even without the typo) until after it posted. Thanks for the input! To FrankRep, thanks for the info. I guess next time I'll RTFB, huh? Thanks :-)


It's no big thing, but it was good for a laugh on a boring Sunday afternoon.

Once again, welcome aboard.

[FrankRep]

Haha! Sorry. I'm on an iPhone. Tough to proofread and edit. I didn't catch the typo (or the obviously flawed title, even without the typo) until after it posted.
I thought the typo was intentional. HAHA