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Main Forums => Political Opinions => Topic started by: Banshee on September 07, 2002, 08:27:33 AM

Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Banshee on September 07, 2002, 08:27:33 AM: As all of you may know, the primaries are coming up, and as I was reading through the sample ballot the government sent to my house I saw something that greatly disturbed me: the ballot was printed in freakin' SPANISH! (as well as English). Now why would that be? So every illiterate person who can't understand English can vote and decide who stands in our government?

This seemed very wrong to me, especially when I realized that an illiterate Spanish speaker may well be, though not definitely, illegal or semi-legal as well.

My feeling is that if you can't understand the language 99% of the country speaks, you shouldn't be voting. After all, how could one be counted on to make an informed decision or even to vote a straight ticket, when one can only know what has been told to them secondhand by other bilingual friends? And my guess is, when Paco talks to Sancho, the first topic that comes up is NOT going to be the primary election candidates and their positions.

I realize that someone may have included the Spanish translation in hopes that native Spanish speakers would have an easier time reading the ballot, but the bottom line is, again, if you cannot understand enough English even to read some simple instructions and the positions each person is being elected to, you shouldn't be voting because there is NO way you can be making any kind of informed decision.
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Dark Shade on September 07, 2002, 12:55:01 PM: "You are accused of heresy on three counts...Heresy by thought, heresy by word, heresy by deed, and heresy by...FOUR..FOUR COUNTS!"

"NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!"
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Revka on September 07, 2002, 05:56:02 PM: (http://webpages.charter.net/jpnelson79/pics/spanis04.jpe)
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Banshee on September 07, 2002, 11:31:53 PM: This was kind of a serious post, DS. Thanks for the Monty reference though.
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Dark Shade on September 08, 2002, 10:16:15 AM: Sorry, I just couldn't resist.
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Banshee on September 09, 2002, 05:30:52 AM: I realize that post sounds awfully bigoted and I apologize, because I did not mean to come across that way. Believe me, I meant what I said, but did not mean to be insulting. So please don't get offended, anyone.
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Dark Shade on September 09, 2002, 08:23:55 AM: No no, it's no problem. I just didn't mean to offend you in any case, with my Monty reference.

And for THAT, I apologize.
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Banshee on September 09, 2002, 10:17:22 PM: Umm....thanks... DS. I wasn't offended.
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Dark Shade on September 10, 2002, 06:06:29 PM: Alrighty, just thought you may have been.

Man, I've been very apologetic these past few days.

Maybe it's what I've been eating...
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Anonymous on September 10, 2002, 08:25:04 PM: I'm sorry that I say "I'm sorry" so much!

(http://www.gotthegeek.com/images/smalley.gif)
Title: Primary elections...
Post by: Revka on September 11, 2002, 01:36:19 AM: Quote from: Chris
I'm sorry that I say "I'm sorry" so much!

(http://www.gotthegeek.com/images/smalley.gif)

But, gosh darn it, people like you anyways!