The American Spectator

br> East Sandwich, Massachusetts /p> p> What’s extreme and repugnant is Roberto [sic] Gonzalez [sic], George Bush, and the treason, lying, and backstabbing of the Republican Congressional (esp. Senatorial) mainstream on immigration. This is the worst thing that has been done to this country since British troops invaded and burned the White House in 1814. To hell with them all. I don’t care if it takes an alliance with Satan to fix immigration and restore respect for the American people, their will, and their nation and its borders. br> — Kevin Kendrick /p>

A key element seemed to be glossed over in James Antle’s article on immigration: assimilation. Whereas previous waves of immigrants aspired to become Americans, the current crop, millions strong, seem to vow to remain Mexicans while living and working here.

What’s worse, we’re making it easy for them. When was the last time you saw a government form that was not also offered in Spanish? They have their newspapers and magazines. My basic cable system includes three Spanish channels. My public library includes Spanish films and dubbed DVDs. Retailers, sensing extra sales potential, have latched onto the bilingual strategy. A checkout clerk at Wal-Mart recently called me senor!

Just as water always runs downhill, people tend to take the easier routes in life. All the above are disincentives to learning English. Bilingual education courses have proven to be utter failures in producing English-speaking students.

p>Think about that the next time you have to “Press 1 for English.” br> — Gary Long /p> p> W. James Antle III speaks of possible problems if Tancredo runs an illegal-immigration-campaign for the presidency. He says, “Tancredo risks relieving the frontrunners — who already don’t seem too concerned about what restrictionists think of them — of any need to appeal to his constituency.” This argument is tantamount to saying that if illegal immigration doesn’t matter then it doesn’t matter, so why run. So if illegal immigration is of no real concern, then why should Antle or anyone else fret over a campaign that is sure to go nowhere? No, it’s better if Tancredo does run. If he does well, he will force the so-called frontrunners to speak about the issue and this is precisely why Tancredo is doing it. If he does not do well, then the frontrunners’ “non-issue” will still be a non-issue. Thus, Tancredo has nothing to lose and possibly much to gain. br> —