Thursday, April 5, 2012

We Now Give Those Who Speak Spanish Ability to Vote

This coming election, a group of voters having been disenfranchised in the past will be disenfranchised no more.

Those who speak only Spanish.

The ballot has been printed only in English, but, with the 2010 census showing so many Spanish-speaking residents in Salt Lake County, the county will be required to print Spanish ballots.

Whether more Spanish speakers will actually come vote, I do not know. But, in theory, they should. If the ballot isn't even in the language you speak, it would seem you wouldn't likely turn out to vote.

It would be impractical to print the ballot in very many languages, but, when a foreign-language population becomes large enough -- as is the Spanish-speaking portion of Salt Lake County -- then it becomes justified to print the ballot in that language.

Some will argue that English is the language of America, and if others want to come here to live, they should learn our language. We should not pander to them.

I would say, in reply, that whether you think learning English should be a requirement, at present, it is not. The laws of the land are what they are. They have gained citizenship, are Americans, and therefore have the right to vote.

But, cannot if they cannot even read the ballot. Oh, they could go vote, but they would be taking shots in the dark.

'Tis a good thing to make it so such a reasonable-sized portion of the population -- without a way to meaningfully vote in the past -- now has that opportunity.

When you can do good, and help someone, that is charity. Why should we not want to show charity in this matter? Why would we suppose they are not worthy of our charity? They are citizens. They are fellow Americans. Giving them the ability to vote is the right thing to do, the right way to treat them

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