State Senate approves bill banning language discrimination

Alarmed that a professional golf association proposed to exclude competitors who don’t speak English, the state Senate acted today to prohibit businesses in California from discriminating against customers, including refusing them service, based on the language they use.

The Ladies Professional Golf Assn. last year backed down from a policy that would have suspended golfers who do not speak adequate English on the premise that language fluency in speeches and media interviews was critical to the sport's promotion efforts.

The golfers were considered "patrons" of the LPGA, not employees.

State Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) said the policy raised an issue that required changes to state civil rights laws that already protect employees from discrimination based on language.

"I don’t understand the connection between speaking English and playing golf," Yee said on the Senate floor. "This is really about protecting our ability to speak the language that we wish."

Yee recalled as a young boy going to a San Francisco hardware store with an uncle who was mistreated because of his lack of proficiency in English.

SB 242, which now goes to the Assembly, was approved on a 21-15 vote, with Republican lawmakers opposed based on concern it would open businesses up to a rash of civil rights lawsuits if customers felt they did not get good service.

Yee noted the bill protects English speakers as well from being discriminated against by non-English-speaking business owners. The bill includes an exemption that says firms can require a specific language to be spoken if it is justified by a "business necessity," such as clear communications for safety, and that notification is provided as to when and where the language restriction is to be observed.

The bill drew concerns from U.S. English, a group that promotes English-only policies. Rob Toonkel, a spokesman for the group, said it makes good sense for businesses to treat customers well.

"Where we have concern is putting language on par with unchangeable characteristics," Toonkel said. "You can’t change your gender. You can’t change your disability. You can change the language you speak. You can learn to say, 'I’d like a hamburger.' "

-- Patrick McGreevy

Comments

[Xenu]

Only in America are foreigners allowed to come in and set up parasitic subcultures and never learn the language. English proficiency should be a citizenship requirement. Without a common language there is no "melting pot."

[dznts]

They might as well call it the "Death to America" bill. I'm personally immigrant. Almost everyone is in their background, but we live in an English speaking country and its necessary to be able to communicate. Businesses will be penalized for not supporting those speaking any obscure language. We already have laws that protect people from criminal mistreatment. This is really about forcing others to conform to one's unwillingness to learn the local language. This bill is racist, and worse yet it promotes severe social instability by legally enabling immigrants to refuse to integrate.

[carrieb]

Last time I checked, English was the primary language in the US. If people want to immigrate to the US, live in our wonderful country, take adantage of our freedoms, benefits, resources, prosperity, etc, the least they can do is learn the language. If English is the primary language here and a US business owner only speaks English how can he be discrimmating against a potential customer or client who he can't even understand because they don't speak our language. Makes it pretty hard to communicate and do business together. And if it's in regards to a foreigner visiting the US, well, they're just that, a guest in a country who's residents speak a different language from their own - how can that issue possibly be considered discrimmatory? When I've been abroad and struggled with the language of the country I'm in, NEVER have I felt I've been discrimminated against because I didn't speak THEIR language. For goodness sakes, I'm in their country. To propose a state bill re: this is absurd. Wouldn't you think our state senate's time would be better spent dealing with all the financiall issues concerning our state instead of this issue. I can't believe it all began over golf competitors. Where are our priorities? I sure hope it doesn't pass.

[whatever]

This is pretty ridiculous, and I am an immigrant! Will businesses be required to speak all languages that are spoken in the US? I am sure nobody in their right mind (except politicians) expects to be understood in any language. Good customer service cannot be mandated - and good businesses treat everybody well, thus gaining return business.

[DWinOC]

This is more multiculturalism foisted on the populace by the incompetent "leaders" in Sacramento. Multiculturalism undermines the foundations of a functioning society including maintaining a common language. The bill is another ineffective overreaction by government to fix a problem that doesn't exist.

[trajan hercules]

I agree, we have to understand that it is in our best interest to promote a common language. One should be proficient in English to become a US citizen. If there is no will to implement that type of law then at least lets NOT pass laws that make it easier for someone to NOT assimilate into American culture by getting by without having to understand or speak basic English. It is only natural that one will be treated differently if there is a language/ communication barrier. Why try to legislate out the natural incentives to speak and learn English in this country? Cultural barriers and a lack of understanding only leads to conflict.

[Eisenvector]

The whole legislature should be thrown out for spending their time with petty garbage like this. What about the excessive state spending? That is the most pressing issue.

California's legislature should go back to being a part-time pursuit since they have time to waste on this crud.

[David]

If you live in the US, you learn English. Plain and simple. If you want to continue to use your native lanugage or any other language than English, thats totally fine, but you have to remember this is an ENGLISH speaking country, and the rest of us should not be expected to cator to you by learning other languages. YOU came HERE, so you learn English. I have worked in a store where many people who came in spoke little to no english. Well, problem being, I spoke little to no Spanish, Korean, etc. And while some of these people just made an effort to let me know what they wanted, some of them were littlerally ANGRY that I had DARED not to learn their language. Last I checked, I had not moved to Mexico, Spain, or Korea, or any other country. We speak English, if you live here, you should too.

[James Los Angeles]

LOL, Is it just me, or do businesses discriminate against individuals that are not bilingual.... How can you protect one without protecting the other? either leave it to the right of the servicing party. Or enforce the law on everyone that discriminates........................

[Anon]

The comments reflect a profound misunderstanding of what this bill is trying to accomplish. It would not force businesses to learn other languages, reject a common culture and/or language, etc. It would simply prevent them from discriminating based on language alone and has an exception for business necessity. America's default language is English and anyone who wants to excel in education or business will learn it. I don't understand the opposition to multiculturalism or immigrant communities maintaining their languages (which one person shockingly called subversive subcultures). This is America, folks. We're a national melting pot, not a cohesive ethnicity. It's particularly shocking that people would oppose such multiculturalism in California, which is inextricably tied to its Mexican and Spanish background and has had a strong Pacific Rim influence since it's statehood. You try to stamp out Spanish and Chinese, in particular, and you're stamping out major chapters of California history. Recall that people can change religions, perhaps easier than they can change languages; should we allow the country clubs to ban Jews or Catholics as they used to? I'm certainly not in favor of that.

[Matthew]

This appears to be foolish pandering, but I can't figure to whom they are pandering. Its a neccessity for a effecive society to have a common language. I do feel one of our strengths as a country is to have a degree of mulitculturalism, but this is just too much.

Also, Yee just sounds like a crybaby who still as an adult can't let go of some minor afront his father suffered years ago. Just silliness. I'm writing my representativ to see how they voted and reprimand them if they voted for this.

[Mike D]

"When I've been abroad and struggled with the language of the country I'm in, NEVER have I felt I've been discrimminated against because I didn't speak THEIR language"

I'm guessing you've never been to Paris.

[Sean Socco]

The legislature is doing the right thing providing leadership on this issue. English was not the first language spoken in America and it has never been the only one. Arguing that language discrimination is not a problem is myopic and self serving. Stop expecting those with more barriers than you do to all the extra work in making a multicultural society work. English-only advocates are just being lazy.

[Enlightenment]

If you live in USA, you MUST speak ENGLISH as your primary language.

If you live in Germany, you MUST speak GERMAN as your primary language.

If you live in France, you MUST speak FRENCH as your primary langauage.

If you are from Mexico and Central America, and move to USA, you MUST learn to speak ENGLISH and speak it as your primary language! If you DON'T want to speak ENGLISH, then you need to go back to your former country!

[Andrew]

Will this be the way the USA is changed by multicultural
advocates from a Melting Pot into the Tower of Babel
that Arthur Schelesinger Jr. warned about in his book
The Disuniting of America??

[Karlo]

I'm a Filipino and I speak English and I also expect everyone who resides in this country to learn it also. David's comment is correct if you don't want to put effort in learning the language then I suggest go back to the country you came from. Equality means what its supposed to means. I am not going to take time to learn chinese or korean so that I can communicate with them (I would like to try) instead they should learn how to speak our language (English) or at least try so that I can provide for them better assistance or what ever else it is they need.

[Bonny]

So every business here in CA should be required to give service to someone regardless of what language they are using? So employers need someone to translate every language out there just to operate? Ridiculous.

[rob]

Not only should you learn to speak english if you come to america, you should be tested on it periodically.

I firmly believe that the only thing that should be written in another language in the United States is where to \go to learn to speak and read english.

Why do I now have to press 1 for english rather than it being the natural choice when i call the DMV?

If you want to live here, make money here, etc. - learn the language. It's just common sense, which this bill and its' sponsor is severely lacking.

[Don]

English is now the mandated international language of aviation. We should ban language discrimination and have pilots and control tower personnel speak whatever language they're familiar with. Right?

[EricR]

I just read in the paper that of the millions of foreigners in our country, over 50% are here illegally. And we have to cater to them too??!! I'm not against being kind, but this demand regarding language is absurd. I'm an American living abroad, and EVERYONE here wants to learn English. How much more should people who plan to STAY in an English-speaking country. Talk about wanting all the benefits with minimum effort!!
Oh puleeeease!

[EricR]

Wow, dznts says it all! Very well expressed, friend!!

[Dan from CA]

Our legislators in CA are worthless panders for votes. My Grandparents came here and learned English. Learn the language of the country in a reasonable time, we will help you, or go home.

[JAG136]

Allegations of theft and prostitution
On December 19, 1992 Per County of Hawaii Police Lt. Ed Tanaka caught Leland Yee as he walked out of the KTA Superstore in Kona's Keauhow Shopping Village with a small bottle of "Tropical Blend Tan Magnifier oil" in his front short pocket.[5] He was subsequently stopped by a store security officer who summoned the local police. Yee was booked on suspicion of petty misdemeanor shoplifting but the case was closed in 1993 without prejudice. However, the case was publicized by the San Francisco Chronicle which published Yee's mug shot.

Yee has also been pulled over by SFPD three times under the suspicion that he was cruising for prostitutes in the Mission District of San Francisco. All three times, he was questioned by police and let go with no charges filed.[6]

[M]

So, if I understand this correctly, I could create a new language that only consists of screams, the duration of which represents different words (maybe something like Morse code, but instead of dots and dashes, screams and yelps) and I could then sue a business for not understanding me? Is there anything that states how a language is defined (the text of the bill states "any language", not any recognized language)? Is there anything that states if someone CAN speak English/in a common language that they must use that instead (i..e you can't pretend that you only speak Portuguese if you also speak English?)

In the past immigrants seemed to take pride in integrating themselves into the American culture. All of my grandparents and great grandparents spoke both their native languages AND English. With jobs like working in coal mines, they weren't extremely educated, but it was important to them. There are countless ways they still maintained their own culture however, with different traditions and foods for example. Now integration into the American culture seems to revolve around desires to consume and get money and this bill seems to emphasize that idea. We always want to make sure people can consume things, no matter what language they speak.

[daveg]

This country has always been the land of equal opportunity, not equal results.

If you want equal results for everybody, go to Cuba.

California is reaping the results of years of well-intended economically and socially destructive policies.

For those of you in CA who see the world clearly, good luck, and you're always welcome in other more sensible parts of the country :)

[jayson]

Dear California,

It's a private organization. They can be jerks if they want to.

[Jack P]

English is the official language in Georgia. You business owners in CA ought to consider moving to GA and starting a business. You all are welcome, ya hear!

[phillysmart]

Can anyone say 1984 we better wake up before its too late...we need to throw these politicians out they seem to be more intrusive on our rights and dictatorial

[Indian]

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!

[IraqWarVet]

Is it any wonder why people are leaving Kalifornia...Let it become a liberal Mecca, the shiny example of Progressive failure that it is...Then all those that are left will have no one else to blame for their banana republic.

[College Educated American (rare)]

First off the first amendment allows freedom of speech and that includes language as well.

Second America is not a "melting pot" this is a myth that all cultures and people mix to create one identity. If you are going to compare America to food, think of it as a salad. Each piece is distinct and has a different flavor and those differences keep us seperated, the only thing keeping us together is the bowl or the country we live in.

Third when Japanese owned Toyota went to San Antonio, Texas they did not go there expecting to speak only English. They came ready to speak Spanish as well since the United States is the fifth largest Spanish speaking country in the world.

Fourth Americans need to open their eyes and realize it's not just about us anymore. Other countries are rising in power and influence, and if you limit yourself to knowing only one language you are only hurting yourself.

Fifth Xenophobia. Look it up.

Sixth Git 'er done. Bling Bling. Dawg etc. Is that considered proper English? I guess if you want to speak proper English you should go back to England.

There is more, but honestly what is posting on here going to change?

[Cohen]

This is great news. Tancredo, Jeff Sessions, Lou Dobbs, please leave our country and stop spewing hate!!! No more racism in America! No human being is illegal; language should not be another artificial basis for discrimination!!!

[Carmen In Texas]

Please, if your in a country that DOES NOT SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE, LEARN IT!!!!! We should not be required to learn your language and the laws should not be changed to suit them. This is getting OUT OF HAND!!! I am sooooo sick of these people telling us what we have to do to make them more comfortable. When in Rome, do as the Romans do...

[Randall]

I recently quit my job in the middle of a depression because my boss assigned me to supervise people that speak only Spanish (I don't speak Spanish).
As it was a job involving public safety, I feared that my inability to supervise could cause harm to the public. I advised my boss and he informed me that not accommodating non-English speakers was racist.
So I quit out of concern for the public.
Now the state won't give me unemployment because I "voluntarily" left my job.

[Rich]

I don't know why anyone would live in California but if you plan on leaving please don't come to Arizona because I'm sick of all you people trying to turn Arizona into liberal CAL2.

[TL]

Now all they need is a law banning stupidity...they could then abolish themselves.

[DL]

There is already an analogy for language non-discrimination. Deaf people use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language to communicate. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses and agencies to remove barriers to communication, stating "A public accommodation shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities." (28 C.F.R. Š36.303(c)). If all languages are given the same status as ASL, then all busineses would need to provide translators or intepreters for all languages. Google "deaf sues ada" to pull up a few thousand examples of suits brought against businesses for their non-compliance.

[Joe]

Lets review this situation. If a customer comes into my business and can not communicate and inform me of what they want I can not refuse to do business with them? So I have to waste my time and lose income so that I don't hurt their feelings. Hmmm no wonder businesses are leave California in a hurry. And by the way under Federal Law you do have the right to refuse service! You are welcome in TEXAS.

[Al]

In a "melting pot," it's the stuff IN the pot that melts, not the pot itself.

My grandparents on both sides came to this country speaking their native tongues. They learned English to communicate in society.

At home, they continued to speak their own language. They were happy to do it, it made them feel more American.

There is a huge difference between discrimination and simply expecting an immigrant to try and integrate themselves. As long as they can understand basic English, that's fine with me.

One question for all the posters here: Why do American schools require students to learn a foreign language, but at the same time say countries should let outsiders speak their own language? Why should I be forced to study Spanish when, if I go to a Spanish-speaking country, the proper thing for them to do is let me speak English?

Oh, I forgot, we're the only one that cater to outsiders at the expense of citizens.

[Pullerdog]

Thiis is a bit confusing. Americans traveling abroad are frequenty criticized for not speaking that country's language. Yet we, as Americans, in our country, are now being forced to accomodate foreigners, including illegal aliens, in their native tongue.

[Voyager]

If people can't communicate, then there can be no society.

How can there be law is the people that are supposed to live under it cannot understand the language it is written in? How can there be business if the sellers cannot communicate with the buyers, or even with each other?

Language segregation, creates castes, where your standing in society is enforced by what language you speak. That destroyes social mobility, until you have only a high upper caste that speaks one language, and far lower caste that speaks the other, with no bridge inbetween for even those who take the time to learn the upper language. Is that what we want? Kings and serfs?

Harry Voyager

[David]

This is from the same idiots who want to ban black cars and big screen tv's. This why we have term limits in California, to cull the herd and get rid of the bad ones. Our legislators can't even balance a budget!

[Wade]

Glad I got out of CA when I did. And folks speculate that Mexico may become a failed state? Why look that far south?

So how does it feel to be a resident of CA w/near zero say in how your government is run, a place where your vote really doesn't count? Do you enjoy being told what to do every second of your lives.....and why do you enjoy this?

[Patrick Curry]

CA fouls it up again. There are now more laws on the books in CA than can be enforced, and the loons in Sacramento keep adding more. If there ever was a feel-good piece of legislation, this is it. As a practical matter, if you are unable to speak at least some English in a predominantly English-speaking country, it will be you who are inconvenienced, not the English speaker. So what's next? Laws which prevent persons from being inconvenienced even though they are setting themselves up for it?

[Peggy Haley]

College Educated American (rare), your punctuation is nearly nonexistant and your sentence structure is appallling. Even I, a lowly highschool educated dummy, spotted that right off.

If you want the luxury of being a pompous, elitist American, I would strongly suggest you invest in a dictionary and the Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. That way, your statements will be at least minimally backed up. All you did is show everyone what a typical arrogant american is all about.

[Taylor]

This is mind blowing...

The State government has no business telling private business's what they should do...

California's government seems to be based on the Musolini model of government...

Here we are... And we are living in an Totaliitarian state, that wants to legislate every moment of our lives...

How did this happen...

[Chris]

People should be allowed to bring their language with them to a country they move to, but the destination country should not be required to bend over backwards to accommodate the language of the immigrants. That should be a personal preference of a business owner and not mandated by the state or federal government. Many other countries in the world have so-called "melting pots" yet maintain an official language. My concern is people moving here from Mexico and then expecting to live here just like they would in Mexico. That's not what happened when the first flood of immigrants from Europe came here. They adapted to the country and came together in unity as Americans.

Go travel to Mexico some time to see things in reverse. There are certain areas where they won't speak English to you either because they don't know it or they expect you to speak their language. You can't become a Mexican citizen and then demand that whatever city you move to begin changing the culture to adapt to your previous American lifestyle.

[evgz]

So if I have this straight. Using this logic, if I choose to move to a country that speaks a different language I should EXPECT their government to force their businesses to be able to accommodate my language. NUTS!

[Todd]

Borders, Language, Culture!!! These things are NECESSARY FOR THE U.S.A.'s SURVIVAL! If you come here and don't know any English or refuse to (or you're too poorly educated to learn) learn, the answer is simple: ADIOS, AMIGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom]

Sanity has left the building. What is next? Passing laws insisting everybody on the planet learn every language on the planet? This is lunacy. Do they really expect businesses to know every language? That isn't even remotely feasable.

I'm sorry but I am sick of eveybody getting their precious feelings hurt and that somehow meaning the rest of us have to bend over backwards and cater to their precious sensibilities. This is an english speaking country. If people don't like that they should go to another country. That simple. Take this lunacy with them.

No wonder people (and more importantly for the people remaing - businesses) are leaving that state in droves. I don't even want to visit anymore.

[TexasForever]

I think companies will service in multiple languages if its financially feasible for them to do so. Unfortunitly English is now the secondary language in Texas; here a company will advertise in spanish if its financially helpful for them to do so. Forcing a company or golf association to allow their "representatives" that cannot communicate is rediculious because that is financially hurting them. That's like me requiring that that billboard on the side of the road to be in spanish and English because its "offensive" to me. Oh, and as far as it helping English speakers....you're dreaming. One thing I am for is not allowing drivers licenses to be issued to non-english speakers.

[DP]

Seems to me that CA Legislators think they can rewrite the laws to suit themselves...NOT "WE THE PEOPLE" WAKE UP AMERICA...STOP LISTENING TO THE PELOSI"S OF THE WORLD AND FIGHT FOR YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS...BEFORE THEY'RE GONE!!!

This is the Law for Naturalization:

Language
Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who on the date of filing:

have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age;
have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 20 years or more and are over 50 years of age; or
have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English.

[B Knotts]

Well, Californians...this is what you get when government is completely controlled by liberals (including most of the Republicans).

This is complete idiocy. Not speaking the language of the country you live in is not a civl right.

Bring back common sense.

[Bobothree]

This is a stupid law. What is a business to do to avoid a lawsuit? Learn every language on the planet when the customer in front of them will not learn just one more, English?

[OKCOK]

Would the last person out of California please turn off the lights?

[Wade]

CA continues to elect progressive Democrats into office. Even the Gov. is a progressive Republican. Our founding fathers would see this as pure tyranny, but in their wisdom they did, through the 10th Amendment, allow the individual states to experiment w/o infringing upon the rights of those living in other states.

Since the progressive movement has been a failure in CA, a failure for many years (I lived there for over 30 years.), why do the citizens continue the same voting pattern? And, at the very least, why impose SoCal/Bay Area socilism/facism on the good folks in NoCal? Why not just split into three states or secede from the Union?

Rather than a debate on the issue, I'd just like to know why so many residents want to continue to go down the same road when it is a proven failure and why my tax dollars should be diverted to fund the continuing failure? Don't think I'm alone in wondering about that.........

I do love the state, wish I could move back, miss the people & the weather, but CA really doesn't want my small business and other states do.

[Mark]

Once again we learn that California Businesses are to stupid to cater to the needs of their customers. Thank God you have a Government in your state that understands how complely and totally stupid Companies are in your state.
In my state we don't need laws like this, we take care of our customers.
All above is sarcasim

[joe]

Me immigrant, you racist, i sue, ACLU

[Juan]

Weird, all the comments are in english, can everyone post a 2nd, spanish version also ?

thanks,

Juan

[julie]

i am stunned....but everyone should remember this garbage next election....VOTE THE IDIOTS OUT!!!!!

[T N McCoy]

Whether you liberals have the intelligence to understand that we speak English here or not, please note the following quote from President Theodore Roosevelt: "Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country." That's for regular, legal immigrants. Illegal immigrants should just leave the country period.

[Common Sense]

California is becoming a Tower of Babel thanks to idiot legislators like Yee. If you noticed, he uses the example of how it made him "feel" when his father was mistreated. There's a really simple way to avoid discrimination and earn the respect of your peers: LEARN THE FREEKING LANGUAGE. My wife speaks english as a second language and Americans are always complimenting her on her proficiency. She's also become extremely successful in sales with primarily American customers. Go figure.

[Andyin Phoenix]

I'm glad the PC police are looking after the people's welfare, but I think the writer that opined "English-only advocates are just being lazy" is 180 degrees off base. Consider the near real life situation.

"We're really sorry you had to watch your family be butchered in front of your eyes, and despite the murderer being an Illegal Alien, the State has to let the killer go free. The Judge ruled the arresting officer didn't give the suspect his Miranda Rights in the suspect's preferred language. The Good News is you can sue the State after you prove the Arresting Officer was negligent for not learning how to communicate in the Inner-Neptunian-sub-lunar-orbital dialect."

[Fred Buse]

If I get a traffic ticket I'm going to fight it in court.
I'll be speaking Wookie and will demand a court appointed translator.

[Mark Geist]

Would you please reprint this article in German, my native language...oh, never mind, I actually learned the language of my new country. Imagine that !

[CApatriot]

Can we please split from LA and San Franscico? Let them have their own state. I live in San Diego and am embarrassed by these liberal politicians that have destroyed this once great state. They have no common sense about anything.

[wheelsIII]

Just the latest from the Politburo - living in the Peoples Republic of California you get kind of immune to this level of lunacy. If it weren't for my grandchildren living here I'd have left long ago...

Of course, considering the socialist in the white house I'm not sure where I'd go.

[Slim]

Please, we are still waiting for this article to be posted in other languages so our english challenged brothers and sisters can share in the idiocracy.

[Wade]

Oh, well........Guess that no answers will be forthcoming as to why the good folks in CA continue to vote the way they do?

Easy to understand why many others in the nation would vote for Obama, but CA, a state where the progressive movement is an absolute proven failure? And now you'll be wanting the hard-earned tax dollars from those of us who live elsewhere just to continue down the same path.

It just doesn't make sense.

[Mike W.]

What is America? Borders, language, and culture. Immigrants to my homeland, better learn our language if they wish to stay in my home. We are not going to have the Camel stick his head in the tent, and then come in and boot us out. Sorry DHS.

[luke]

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 3 STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SEC. 6. (a) Purpose.
English is the common language of the people of the United States
of America and the State of California. This section is intended to
preserve, protect and strengthen the English language, and not to
supersede any of the rights guaranteed to the people by this
Constitution.
(b) English as the Official Language of California.
English is the official language of the State of California.
(c) Enforcement.
The Legislature shall enforce this section by appropriate
legislation. The Legislature and officials of the State of
California shall take all steps necessary to insure that the role of
English as the common language of the State of California is
preserved and enhanced. The Legislature shall make no law which
diminishes or ignores the role of English as the common language of
the State of California.
(d) Personal Right of Action and Jurisdiction of Courts.
Any person who is a resident of or doing business in the State of
California shall have standing to sue the State of California to
enforce this section, and the Courts of record of the State of
California shall have jurisdiction to hear cases brought to enforce
this section. The Legislature may provide reasonable and appropriate
limitations on the time and manner of suits brought under this
section.

[UncleSamchez]

Big Business wants cheap labor,
Politicians want more votes.
Americans just want a job that pays a living wage.

http://numbersusa.com Your Voice to Washington DC

http://alipac.us Get Involved, Get Active

[Vote Libertarian]

Both major parties have destroyed California & this is just one more example.

Time to Vote LIBERTARIAN & win a FREE country.

[Andy]

This blog is censored - Clearly the PC police don't like humor related to Illegal Aliens requiring Arresting Officers to communicate in the Inner-Neptunian-sub-lunar-orbital dialect.

[Mike Connor]

More are moving out of California than in
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-fi-leaving-california18-2008dec18,0,2777902.story?page=2

I was born there, would never live there!

[Nexialist]

The problem with being Anti-American is in order to correct perceived deficiencies of the past, solons like these also ending up destroying the great things about the US.

[Sheltiman]

I was about to say something against this bill, but I've changed my mind. I've had it! I'm closeing my business and leaving this state. Do what ever you want, just leave me out of it.
Bye.

[GB]

I wonder if I will be able to sue companies requiring me to be bilingual? What about want ads requiring bilingual applicants?

[Jeff]

Δεν μπορώ να καταλάβω αυτό το άρθρο. Γιατί can' το τ εσείς τον τυπώνει έτσι μπορώ να τον καταλάβω; Αυτό ακριβώς isn' έκθεση τ. Κάνετε διακρίσεις εις βάρος των ανθρώπων μου. Γιατί;

[r finley]

Why can't Fienstien, Boxer and the so-called Mayor of this town just be honest for a change. Just propose legistration that gives the State of California to Mexico and be done with it! These traitors to the American people need to stop pretending to be acting in the name of some PC non-sense. Thier just trying to keep We The People paying the 11 to 16 BILLION dollars that gets stolen annualy in this state to carry all the illegal Aliens. Mexico is the Alcoholic Uncle and this Government is making We the Citizens "Enabelers". The Mexican (government) is like a nest of baby birds. It always has it's beak open for a free ride and refuses to do anything for itself.

[Tom]

I'd join ya in selling out the business and leaving Kalifornia, Fortunately I've never been drunk enough to ever go to Kalifornia!

Come on out to the midwest, Much better environment than what Kalifornia has turned into!

SPEAK ENGLISH, It WAS Mandated at one time, Now all we are getting are INVADERS that the pinko-libs coddle up for their minionistic purposes!

[Laura]

if you're in america, speak english! you want to live her and take part in the american dream, then learn our language

[URDRWHO]

I tell you this, it seems like a day does not go by that I am glad I left the Golden State. There must be lead in the water because insanity is the normal routine of so many living in the State of CA.

When I moved to CA it was a time when people were moving to CA, a time of population growth. Now CA has a negative population growth of legal citizens. The only growth they have are of the illegal citizenry.

Good luck on that State bankruptcy thing. Maybe to solve the economic problem the State will start printing ballots in every known language. I know that SF always printed ballots in about 6 different languages.

You get the government you deserve.

[Geoff]

laksdhj jwspo ikdp md!
hslk wqwqqnn, saioula sknj aa eieio.

(Can't read my language? I'll sue you if you can't!)

[la la la la - i'm not listening]

Hmmm..... the CA jobless rate is the highest in the nation, I wonder why.

[rrgg]

Is the State Senate unaware of the California Constitution? Like it or not, this bill is unconstitutional. It's set up to be struck down by the Supreme Court, or lead to an initiative to change the Constitution. The latter will lead to an even greater conflict.

[sterss]

My guess is that it will be OK to have a Spanish only even, no?

Even if it goes against this law, it will never be enforced.

Isn't there something in the Constitution about the right to freely assemble? No? Oh... sorry... the Constitution doesn't matter in California.

[Iray Uru]

......California's unemployment rate soared to its highest level in more than 30 years in March, climbing to 11.2 percent as 62,100 jobs vanished, official figures showed .....

I see the California legislature has an abundance of free time on their hands to pursue trivia and windmills while the economy and the state budget both spiral into the tank.
Can anyone tell me seriously when any polictician in American, local, state or national, in the last 40 years had a clue?

[sterss]

There should not be ANYTHING that is "multi-cultural". We have ONE culture... America. It is a blend. Why is it always the left that wants to seperate us into groups?

[sterr]

This stuff is just insane.

If I move to France to live, I will learn French.
If I move to Germany to live, I will learn German.
What's the problem?

Keeping people seperated for "multi-culturalism" keeps us all apart and segregated - and unequal. It keeps foreign immigrants from merging into America and keeps them POOR. Oh ... I get it. If they are all poor and dependent on government, then they will vote Democrat. PERFECT! That's what they want!

Keep people poor, Democrats get elected.
Help people do well and even get rich and they vote Repub.
That's how the left plays it. When they say they are and you need their help... run... they just want to make you dependent on them and government so you keep voting them into power.

It works, no?

[fullmodo]

Hell, we have a fricken Governor that nobody can understand! Whats the big deal? Or is California suppose to be pronounced "Kullyfarnia"?

[John]

What scares me is all this liberal garbage starts in CA, and then infests the rest of the nation as fist-shaking bureaucrats shove it through the singular statist federal government. It happens every time. Look at banning smoking, a legally allowed substance, in privately owned busniesses. That's a sham and totally immoral. I much prefer going to places where there isn't smoking myself, most of the time, but that's MY CHOICE. Not the government's. They shouldn't tell patrons or businesses how to do what they do -- including requiring people to be able to communicate.

Anyone who claims communication doesn't relate to ANYTHING we might do socially (say, golf) is an idiot, and anyone with two brain cells will consider them completely discredited. I've never heard of a more absurd notion than to not even imply, but to STATE that speaking English has nothing to do with golf (or, anything).

[Michael]

When immigrants came to the US in the early 20th century, most families prohibited their children from speaking their native language. This forced them to assimilate. The far left, crazy people with their political correctness make me physically sick to my stomach. It is impossible to not offend everyone. Stop trying!! Stop changing the words to "Bah Bah Black Sheep" to "Rainbow Sheep", stop asking us to "press 2 for English", stop calling people who don't agree with you a noun followed by "phobe" or "ist". People are different. Stop pretending we are all the same. California's liberal policies are coming back to bite them. They are bankrupt because they provide illegal immigrants with free food, free healthcare, discounted housing, etc. Meanwhile they are keeping state income tax refunds from taxpayers. Start caring about the people who pay your salaries instead of the ones who suck up all your resources. Your priorities are seriously out of whack.

[eb]

My grandparents came from the Ukraine, Galacia and Odessa. They all learned English.

[IItchiban]

YEE ikes!! How stupid can you get?

[TGood]

With the state of the California economy, they seem intent on having more businesses to leave the state. That state of millions of illegal aliens being pandered to and now a Tower of Babel needs to be in a country all by itself because it's run by a dangerous fringe element. My sympathies go out to the Californians who still possess a brain.

[TGood]

"This is great news. Tancredo, Jeff Sessions, Lou Dobbs, please leave our country and stop spewing hate!!! No more racism in America! No human being is illegal; language should not be another artificial basis for discrimination!!! "---

Our country ? Not if you're an American it isn't your country. You're merely a tenant who's paying the rent for everybody who moves in. And without Tancredo, Sessions, and Dobbs, you'd never hear the truth about the destruction of this country by an out of control immigration program . If ignorance is bliss, then you should be very pleased at the propaganda you're silly enough to believe that is spewed out by the liberal open border people.

[Dave]

The original meaning of "Melting Pot" was not as in food cooking in a pot, but meant metal melting in a melting pot into one new metal as in One Nation "America". Thus the various nationalities were put into the melting pot and became unified as Americans.

[John]

Speech Police, they make Hitler proud.

[Chacon Dalupe]

So does this mean that any privately held store can no longer do things like "We refuse the right to Service" or "No shirts, no shoes, no service" any longer?
Jeez, what have we come to here in California.