English as the Official Language

English as the official language.
Ok for .gov for cost savings.
Ok for business to try to attract any customer.

Recently, Oak Point, Texas, made English its official language. I think this is one of the more polarizing issues around right now, but I've come to view it in fairly clear terms.

There's a group out there that rallies around the flag, declares their patriotism, and demands that you only be allowed to speak english in America. Having to "Press 1 for English" is un-American, they declare! All should be subject to this, according to them.

The other group is opposed to any standardization of language. This group includes people that speak english as a second language, and the liberal-tending people that support anything that is declared "un-American." They view the movement to standardize on English as racist and small-minded.

Both have valid arguements, but I've decided there's a compelling arguement for a middle ground: MONEY. After all, the American Revolution wasn't about personal liberties, religious freedoms, or the right to bear arms, it started because of money. No taxation without representation, and all that...

I think the Government should standardize itself on English, based purely on a cost reasoning. It costs money to produce forms, translate government proceedings, etc. If we only conducted government business in English, there is a savings to be realized.

Private industry, however, should not be subject to these limitations. If a business finds that it can attract profitable customers by catering to multiple languages, it should have that right. That's pretty much what's in place now, which is why we don't have to press 3 to hear German, 4 for French, etc., because it's not profitable for the companies to cover those languages. If I, as a consumer think that having to press 1 for English is too much of an imposition, I am free to take my business elsewhere. I suppose a niche industry might pop up at some point based on only doing business in English.

Personally, I'm going to do business where I get the best rates, the best service, etc., even if I have to press 1 to be transferred to English speaking helpdesk in India...