The proof… courtesy of the (former) mayor of Crestwood, IL…

This is probably related to my last post, if you’re paying attention. It’s also kind of ironic considering Mr. Stranczek is the son of Polish immigrants, and didn’t speak a word of English until he was 8 years old. Apparently the implicit need to learn the English language isn’t as strong as it was when he was a kid, so a persuasion of the more explicit variety is required these days… like an artificial designation of English as “our language”.

Of course this is perfectly in line with the tried and true New American Century Republican party line - ‘Let the market/individuals decide, unless we don’t like which way the market is going, then government will take care of it’. You know, like when “the market” wouldn’t choose Halliburton to build their outhouses, much less an entire country’s infrastructure.

But what the hell am I talking about? The dubious sign isn’t about war or government or no bid contracts. To go down that path requires entirely too much nuance and, oh, what do they call it, critical thinking. The sign is about immigrants, damnit! You know, those people who come here and siphon our tax dollars through welfare and public education systems, and don’t contribute anything, except direct evidence that Reaganomics doesn’t work because it creates the incentive for businesses to provide jobs to the people who are willing to accept the lowest standard of living (thus widening “the gap“).

But I digress. This sign isn’t necessarily about immigration itself. It’s about language. More specifically, it’s about the inherent annoyance of people speaking a language that you do not know. I’m sure if the unfamiliar language that was being spoken in this country most predominately was Polish instead of Spanish, then Chester wouldn’t have as much of a problem with it. But really, beyond the feeling of insecurity and the almost unavoidable suspicion that they are talking about you (you conceited bastard), what’s the problem with people speaking a language that you do not?

The answer is “nothing”… that is, until someone becomes so attached and possessive of their language that they expect everyone to cater to them by either 1) speaking their language or 2) finding someone who can translate in lieu of learning. Seeing as how we are supposed to be a free country and as a result government doesn’t declare an official language. Those two characteristics create an interesting juxtaposition.

The problem is that people like Chester see it as a one way street when there is nothing but their righteous indignation to suggest that it is.

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