By: Daniel Nardini

In an act that can only be characterized as a waste of time, U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (Republican-Minnesota) has introduced legislation to make English the official and only language of government and business. Further, the legislation would require the standardization of English for official use and also require such “standard” English to be taught in the public schools. I should explain that Bachmann is a Tea Party movement supporter and part of the Tea Party Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. She may also become a possible candidate for the presidential election in 2012.

According to Bachmann, the legislation is being introduced to “save America’s heritage and make sure that the children of immigrants learn English properly.” What exactly is “proper English” I myself cannot say. I used to teach English as a foreign language for over five years, and I find it questionable what is meant by “standard” English. Of course, this legislation is being aimed at immigrant groups whom Bachmann perceives as “not learning English.” But this is ridiculous. In so many surveys done over the past decade, the children and grandchildren of immigrants do learn English and they overall learn English well. More than that, they become proficient in the language as well as the language of their parents.

This is just another attempt by some legislators at the highest level of trying to impose their view of what America should be. This bill will not likely go anywhere in the U.S. Congress. However, variations of this legislation might hit the state legislatures—we have already seen this done on local and county levels only to see such laws to be struck down in court case after court case as unconstitutional. Those who seem to be trying to sponsor such similar legislation on state and federal levels are hoping that the higher it goes the less likely that the courts will be able to strike any of this legislation down. Also, we must remember that Bachmann might run for the presidency. One can only imagine what might happen to this country if Bachmann wins the highest office in the land! We can only hope that Michele Bachmann and her kind will never get that far, and that English only legislation like this will die a quick death.