Friday, October 10, 2008

Stupid politics propels 'EnglishFirst' vote Jan. 22

Opponents of the "EnglishFirst" referendum shot themselves in their own feet with their unnecessary politics that delayed a vote Nov. 4 -- rescheduled today for Jan. 22.

In the summer, these supposed advocates of the immigrant community won a 3-2 vote before the Metro Nashville Election Commission based on a ruse of an argument on the two-year requirement between referendums. And that pushed the vote from the Nov. 4 ballot.

Councilman Eric Crafton then easily gathered enough signatures to get a new vote. And today, the election commission was forced to slate the vote for Jan. 22.

Opponents could have more easily raised the votes Nov. 4 in Davidson County to defeat the referendum. A big Barack Obama turnout could be turned against this proposed change in the Metro charter.

But opponents foolishly played politics, and a Jan. 22nd vote will now produce a much smaller voter turnout than in a presidential election. And the turnout will be in support of the referendum. People who signed the referendum petitions -- more than 10,000 -- will be sure to vote. Opposition votes won't be so easy to muster for only one issue.

In addition, a much tougher economy buffeted by layoffs will make Nashville voters look more harshly on immigrants who do not speak English. They will be viewed as taking jobs from native citizens. While I do not agree with that argument, it will be hard to dissuade people who are hurting.

My criticism a month or so ago of referendum opponents -- wrongly playing politics with the right of the people to be heard -- produced a lot of flak aimed at me from supposed advocates of the local Hispanic community.

But my criticism stands. And with friends like these, the Hispanic community might want to seek some common ground with its enemies or those in between.

Nashvillians who do not speak English and who have trouble speaking English have been painted in a political corner by their supposed advocates. I hope these supposedly politically savvy people learn that you must deal honestly with voters who petition their government for change -- not play backroom games.

In the end, they're not going to have to pay. It will be the most vulnerable people bearing the burden of the foolishness of their advocates.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think that you will be wrong about English First. I am an organizer of the campaign against it and we have huge numbers of support. We also are making huge amounts of phonecalls, doorknocking etc. and we know it will be defeated.