Tim James, candidate for governor in Alabama, where football and English are the state's primary language. View his controversial 'English only driver's license' commercial. (AP)
So much for political correctness from the highest powers!
If Tim James gets his way -- should he win the governorship in Alabama -- he will make sure you speak English if you want to get a driver's license in the state.
(And hey, if English isn't your first language, you aren't reading this anyways!)
According to USA Today , the Republican candidate is ruffling a few feathers with his new TV political ad in which he says driver's license exams will only be given in English.
"This is Alabama. We speak English," he says in the ad while questioning why the exam is currently given in a dozen different languages. "If you want to live here, learn it. We're only giving that test in English if I'm governor."
The son of former two-term Alabama governor Fob James is confident voters will also see his views on the matter as "common sense," adding "maybe it's the businessman in me."
Drivers license exams are currently offered in:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- English
- Farsi
- French
- German
- Greek
- Japanese
- Korean
- Russian
- Spanish
- Thai
- Vietnamese
And even though James says in his commercial that this new rule would save the state money, The Atlantic pointed out that Alabama might not qualify for federal transportation funding with an English-only regulation.
Similar to Georgia where legislation for English-only driver's tests is up for debate, James argues that a solely English exam in Alabama would protect public safety by ensuring that drivers could read traffic signs.
"It makes common sense to ensure everyone with an Alabama driver's license knows and understands traffic laws and traffic signs," James is quoted in an AOL News report. "Political correctness may endear you to the (MSNBC host and righteous Liberal) Rachel Maddow crowd, but here in Alabama, the safety of our people comes first."
His controversial campaign spot has gotten over 150,000 views on YouTube since it launched this week.
Meanwhile, the ad struck a chord with the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama who said in a statement that they fear it will damage the state's reputation: "Making the driver's license test available in English only is a bad move and inconsistent with the strong recruitment Alabama has done in the last 15 years to bring international business to our state."
But according to WSFA-TV , James was happy with the mixed reaction: "It got watched… so evidently this hits a chord, it is good. People need to wake up and become a part of the process and it is good for Alabama, it is good for the country."
Watch Tim James' political ad: Click here!
Comments
It sounds absurd, but think about it: Road signs are in English, even "ethnic" neighborhoods. If he had said it was about safety, he probably could've gotten away with this.
I agree with the gov. I can't tell you how many non-English speaking truck drivers from California would try to deliver merchandise that did not belong to us because they could not read the invoice, the street address and had no clue that we were not even a music store. The next time they try to deliver I'm going to accept the shipment and let the sender try to figure out where it got to...I bet the truck driver won't be able to tell him in plain English where he left it....LOL
Give us a follow on Facebook..
I hate to say it, but I couldn't agree more.
I agree. I don't normally agree with the Republicans, but this is something that needs to be said and needs to be done, in all states.
If your values are true to the roots of the issue- can you speak any word in Native American - remember, if you're white, you are the immigrant. too... get over your power elitist perspective....
GO GOV!
This argument might be worth listening to if many of the more rural counties in Alabama didn't have a significantly lower than average literacy rate among native English speakers. Additionally, I've spent a significant amount of time in Italy, and their stop signs are big red octogons that say "STOP," which is not the word for stop in Italian. Traffic signs have specific shapes and colors for a reason, and virtually every other country in the world follows our standards.
This also isn't going to save money if it results in a loss of federal transportation funds. For that matter, if a threat of cut funding emerges there's no way that James will implement this. This will become an unfulfilled campaign promise if he wins.
James is claiming that this will increase safety and save money, but it won't do either. He surely knows this. This is just a cynical ploy to use racism to fire up the electorate about an issue that does not affect residents' quality of life.
go to show how bigots are still alive ans well. the TRUE Americans are the NATIVE AMERCANS....NO ONE ELSE!!!!!!!
I speak and read 3 lanugages, I am proud to be an American, but sure glad I don't live in Arizona, or Alabama.
Traffic signs have specific shapes and colors for a reason, and virtually every other country in the world follows our standards.
Actually, many of our signs used to be different and we switched to international standards, not the other way around.
I doubt this in anyway improves safety, but being a multi-lingual country costs us money. I am just not sure how much money. If a private business wants to conduct business in more than one language, that is their perogative, but there is/uld be nothing wrong with governments using English.
Just saw the commercial and wow. He sounds like one of those racist white trash. He says that you have to learn english if you want to live there. Thats like saying get the F@&* out you stupid immigrants. How the hell is he going to tell someone to learn english when he can't even speak english correctly. Learn to pronounce your words you uptight little prick.
"go to show how bigots are still alive ans well. the TRUE Americans are the NATIVE AMERCANS....NO ONE ELSE!!!!!!!"
I work for an Indian tribe and most Indians consider the term Native American to be bad. You can research this by checking with any Indian Tribal Agency or Newspaper, nearly all contain Indian in the name.
Secondly, American Indians also migrated to this country. They were just here first. Tribes are usually classified by Language and many different tribal Languages exist, but most tribes conduct tribal business in English, rather than their native languages. My point being, they tend to use English for Governmement Communication.
i feel sorry about this gringo trash.Grow up u are jealous because you only know one language.The inmigrants taking the best jobs.
The only language native to this country is what the real, original, americans spoke; Kiowa, Cheyenne, Apache etc. All other languages are the result of Europeans inflicting themselves on the true americans. Do you really think that what you people (or y'all) speak in alabama and the rest of the south is English? Don't you ever hear yourselves speak? No wonder educated and literate people refer to you people as "bubba"and the official slogan for the entire south is "git r done".
I agree with the Mr. James, English is this Nation's language. Agreed the Native American Indians were the first ones here. But since the United States was formed, English has been OUR language. If you move to another country they are not going to change their language to fit you, so why does American continue to accomomdate. If you live here, learn the English language--period. If you want to talk in your native language amoung your friends and family, fine, but when dealing with school, businesses, government, the language is English. I absolutely hate that my son's high school books are printed in English and Spanish. Mexico, Germany, Italy, and most other foreign countries are not going to print school books, government documents and business signs in English to accomodate me should I live there, so we should stop the excess to accomomdate those who CHOOSE not to learn our language. It is time for Americans to stand up for our rights, if we don't who will.
I live in Alabama, and I am so embarassed. We are so behind. This ad, and the fact that it is aired, proves it.
I agree with Tim James, I also agree with Arizona. Our language is American English. If you want to be in this county come here legally, play by our rules and learn American English. If I were to go to another county to live I would learn that language and their customs.
I'm pretty sure that anyone who is not a native American is an immigrant, be it 1st or tenth generation. And on that note isn't English a immigrant language? America prides it's self on being the land of opportunity, the place where dreams come true. But this bigot has seemed to conveniently over looked this. I do agree that as it stands now English is the language of America, and those entering our nation should make every effort to assimilate as best they can. However it is unfair to expect someone to learn one of the most difficult languages overnight in order to simply obtain a operators license.
Immigrants taking the best jobs? I didn't know landscaping was considered a "best job"
Turn about is fair play.......We Americans are not given "special" treatment in other countries, why should we treat legals or illegals any differently than we treat ourselves.
Lol...all I can do is laugh at this ignorant candidate. In case he has not notice, we are a Muticultural country. It would benefit us to learn more than one language and be involved in more than one culture. Sounds like he should learn to speak English as well. Hey Tim, LEARN IT! Maybe he wants to keep things SIMPLE so HE and OTHERS CAN UNDERSTAND. "Two languages Too complicated- for me and my kind" should be his campaign slogan.
Thank God someone cares that is the problem with this country all other countries know at least some english but with the mexicans most of them dont and they dont want to learn either they feel that americans should learn spanish this is bull our language is english and why shouldnt the ppl here have to learn their language first ... Good for you !! by the way my husband is mexican and he is from mexico and he believes in that his own ppl need to know the language ...
Wow its taking goverment to figure out we speak English. And the wet backs should learn English. But as long as we let the people come across the border with out papers. The US is turning into mexico you can see how bad the mexicans hurt our goverment and wages. I still feel we need to build a wall and then the United States will make a come back. The people to the south can not speak English but sure know how to count American money. Something is the matter with that!!
I agree with him 100% people from all over the world have been coming here for decades and all have learned to speak english. We don't have press 2 for arabic press 3 for japanese press 4 for russian. You want to live here learn the dam language! I am so over political correctness at the expense of the all the people living working legally in the U.S. I agree with the new law in Arizona too it's about time someone had the balls to do something.
Although i think the Alabama gov should have chosen his words a tad different, I have to agree, and I am half german and half hispanic so, no, I am not racist, if you want to live in our country learn the language and laws and rules and by the way can somebody make these people STOP flying the freakin mexican flag!!!!
About time someone takes a stand! Lets unify America again. Don't like it? give another country a try. You make come back and think we're not all that bad! GO GOV!!!
Its about time someone is trying to get rid of that politicaly correct B/S this guy should run for Pres of USA with the governer of Arizona as vice Pres
Last I checked, there were no provisions in the US Constitution regarding what languages a driver's license exam is to be offered in. Therefore, it is each state's right to choose to offer it only in English.
I wonder if the Govenor is going to offer English classes for those wishing to move to the state.
I absolutely agree with this man!!! This country needs more candidates like him!!!
I second the guy "TL-Texas" above. If I moved to a foreign country I would expect to have to adapt to their way of life. This argument is not going on in other countries, there is no debate. It's their way or get out of their country. Sometimes this is the problem with freedom - people take the concept to extremes. Celebrate your heritage all you want! It is your freedom - however, just know you need to speak English as your primary language. This candidate has my vote for President. On my phone line it's Press 1 for English or Press 2 For a Travel Agent. Can you foreigners understand that?
all of you for this gov are Ignorant @ss holes white trash with no education.
I definately agree, if you live in a country, SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE or GO HOME. James should run for President and the Governor of Arizona with him. Let's take back our Country.
Wow, and this is the country that is called the land of opportunities? it started with immigrants and is something that will continue on and on.
My grandparents came from Europe. They worked very hard to learn
English, so that they could blend and be a part of this great
nation. When did this change. Instead of learning English, we have to cater to them. Enough is enough. This great nation better get it's act together before English speaking people are the minority.
Hey "Pepe" - this "ignorant @sshole" wants to know if you're in this country legally? BTW - I'm a hard working, tax paying, AMERICAN FLAG waving, college graduate. What are you?
Last time I checked the USA doesnt have a national language. Yes it is important to know the English language, but it comes to knowing and understanding the laws and regulation. I was born and raised here in the United States and I can speak both English and my native language. I think people like Mr Tim James here, can say that because he can't see it from our side.
Tim James, if you were in Wisconsin, you would have my vote. I can promise I will be sure to make a donation to your campaign. Why should we spend money on every other foreigner's lack of taking the English language seriously? If I decide to move to France, I would be prepared with the "French for Dummies" stuck to my side. My past relatives came from Germany and I can tell you, it wasn't easy but they learned our language, paid taxes and were proud to say, "I aM an AMERICAN and I will fight for my country." You come here, then openly show your hatred for US, set fire to our flags or accuse us of being racist because we feel textbooks are to be printed in ENGLISH? If you dare to answer to a police officer or you attempt to purchase groceries and your answer is "No hable ENGLISH" Then take your American hating self and go right back to where you came from. Maybe then you will realize why and how America was formed. In other Countries you could be tortured for speaking out.
When you choose to legally immigrate, and wish to become a legal citizen...you should expect to learn the language spoken in the Country you are becoming a citizen of. If you come to a Country illegally, you need to return to your Country of origin...and begin legal immigration papers....that would give you plenty of time to begin to learn the language of the country you wish to immigrate to.
Um, Tim, that "We're only giving that test in English if I'm governor" should be "if I become governor, the test shall only be administered in English." If you want to make that language mandatory, you should at least learn to speak it properly. Douchebag.
You not only have my vote but it looks like about 95% of the people have agreed with you! I worked in Mexico for a year and guess what?......I spoke their language....as should be expected. I should NOT and will NOT change to accomodate outsiders! To Pepe.....you ingrate ignorant jerk-off....get out of the country I am proud of....I do NOT want you here!!!! And you can take the illegals with you. I'm happy to keep the people who came here legally and they deserve my respect which I will give......you do not deserve this because your a moron. By the way, I have a 4 year degree and a much better job than you.....ya lousy frog!!!!!!
Hey Pepe, why do I have a feeling you are one of those illegal dopes who feel we need to learn your language huh? I bet you get pulled over and all of a sudden forget what English you do know. If you fail to make the choice to speak our language while living here, you have no right to be here. Try going to Burma, you open your mouth and make a statement that offends the governmental officials...you disappear and now...you no longer exist. GOD BLESS AMERICA
I absolutely agree with this man!!! This country needs more candidates like him!!!
"Spanish speaking applicants need only apply." I love to see that when I'm job hunting! My parents came to the USA from Italy, they quickly learned the language. Liberals need to stop enabling. I'm liking your way of thinking Tim! Between the illegals and affirmative action, I'm thinking this county is pushing me out. Maybe it's time to check out Italy. I'd better start learning that language, I wouldn't expect them to bend over backwards for me.
Thank God its aboat time, we are americans and you have come to our country not us to yours you need to speek our language obay our laws, and respect our customs for some reason it has been the other way around for to long
Everyone knows that you need a licenses to breath in the US. How do you expect people that get to this contry to have the opertunity to make a living and learn the language if you put a language barrier. You need to open your eyes and expand your minds. BTW born and raised in the USA.
Another thing idiots. Not everyone that does not speak english is an Illegal Immagrant. Racist bastards
well i highly dis agree i think its so verry wrong just like its hard for americans to learn spanish its just as hard or even harder for them to learn english i would know
AMEN & WAY TO GO!! I wish more of our leaders felt the way you do!! I have always thought if you come to a country to work it is your obligation to learn the native language. If I visit abroad it's different...I'm contributing to their economy. Here we cater to foreigners like they are vactioners!! They're not!! They act like we're wrong because we don't speak Spanish!!
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