Who were the signs in Spanish trying to influence? Obviously all of our legislators read English and almost every registered voter does too. Seems like it ineffective and only divides people.

Likely because of the bilingual protesters. All the speeches were done in Spanish and in English. I didn't talk to one person there who didn't speak English. All the folks I talked to had jobs and were paying taxes, too.

Why is the Spanish language divisive?

Why make signs in a different language if the target audience doesn't speak that language? Why make signs in different languages if all the people speak English but not all of the people speak another language?

It is divisive to speak to an audience in a language that only some understand when a person could speak a language that all understand.

Do you speak Spanish? If you don't that explains why you didn't speak to anyone that doesn't speak English!

Making signs in Spanish isn't going to win over voters in California. If voters were able to choose they would likely make English the official language. The test to become a US citizen isn't in any other language then English.

Do you also the consider it divisive to have all school documents that go home to parents translated in Spanish?

If the schools have families that don't speak English it makes sense to do it.

But this is a political rally. Anything done there will be seen through a political prism. Who were they targeting with their message?

If it was elected officials they all speak English so there is no need to translate. If it is voters they should be able to read simple signs if they passed a citizenship test in English.

If you think these signs are a great idea to convince voters of all parties to raise our taxes or cut other programs instead just say so already. But I think it is a blunder.

Do you speak fluent Spanish?

And how much money do they Lakers bring into the city of LA every year?

Everywhere I look is bad news from death and destruction to disease, fiscal insanity, cultural strife, mortgage meltdowns, domestic terrorism, global warming, torture, abortions, sweat shops, slavery, amber alerts, online predators, Nuclear tests, corporate malfeasance, Bernie Madoff, eminent domain, high taxes, high unemployment, high divorce rate, suicide, alcoholism, swine flu, tainted food, depression, trade deficits, declining dollar, illegal immigration, and outsourcing.

Sorry for picking my head up to enjoy the Lakers, but they'll be plenty of things to feel bad about later.:)

I suppose the bilingual signs could be misinterpreted by those who don't feel Latinos should retain their culture and language in the United States.

The parade brings business to the city. It's a better deal than the $100,000 Simi Valley spent on business developement or the lobbyists the county school board paid for.

perhaps they were made for the convenience of latin american news.

Marie Lakin,

The signs offended many people, including myself, because they showed people weren't assimilating.

But put that aside for a minute. It is bad politics to try to win over middle of the road voters by running a protest with signs targeting undecided voters that offend those voters.

I guess if your target audience was liberal bloggers, college professors, and activists you might be right. But as long as it was targeting voters in California it was a dumb idea.

I consider myself a liberal person but I am less likely to support raising taxes again this year after seeing this rally and their tactics.

Why not ever say thank you for taking tax dollars?

So lack of "assimilation" is offensive to you? Reaching out to those in the gathering who are less versed in English is a bad thing? But requiring school districts to print everything in Spanish and English is not offensive?

I don't understand how their "tactics" are any different than any other rally I've witnessed. Please explain. If the only difference is the bilingual nature of the signs and speeches, then you've lost me.

You do realize the Latino population is a growing and vital portion of the voting public, right? By 2020, Latinos are expected to outnumber non‐Hispanic whites in the state; and by about 2042, Latinos are projected to become the racial/ethnic majority in the state.

You are sounding a bit ethnocentric.

Obviously you are a misguided commie pinko.
And we are on the same wavelength.

Marie Lakin,

Latino voters can read English. Signs that assume they cannot are condescending. The US citizenship test is in English!

I have no problem with celebrating a great American like Cesar Chavez. I don't mind people celebrating Cinco De Mayo. I have studied Spanish and worked with immigrants, including those that don't have all of their paperwork. They are fine people and a great contribution to our nation.

School districts print materials in different languages because parents aren't all citizens and even citizens have different levels of proficiency in English. But did you really need to translate "don't cut healthcare" for US citizens of latino descent?

It is offensive if you think voters couldn't read your basic signs. Unless you were trying to convince people that cannot vote to support your cause.

So bilingualism is offensive to you? We have a school here in Ventura which is a dual immersion Spanish-English magnet. Many parents choose this school who are not of Latino heritage.

I don't find bilingual signs offensive. We'll have to agree to disagree here. I see it as a cultural thing and not an illegal alien thing, which is what you are really driving at.

Nombre,
Por qué estás tan enojada por los signos de ser en español? Obtener del mismo. Suenas como senore Bubba Kidd whinning como un perro.

Convengo. Gracias estudiante.

Tal vez podría tener un desfile para las personas que no pueden competir con los extranjeros ilegales en el mercado de trabajo. Podemos llamarlo "Un americano Habilidades Día Sin negociables".

Debemos llamar la Incompetente Caucus.

George Bush, es mi héroe.

This is for all immigrants, and I'm an immigrant myself..
It's no way to get empathy for your causes from the general population by imposing your will, language, and culture on the host country, which, in this case, is the US-- no matter how big your population is! Remember, we are still foreigners. Latinos are not the only immigrant population in the US. English is the primary language here.
Respect the host country by adopting it's language and culture first. Your chances of getting respect and acceptance in return is much better when you show consideration for the host.
Try not to bully your way in, because you will get only resentments in return.

Marie Lakin,

I find it offensive that people think US citizens that happen to be Latino need simple signs translated for them.

You don't think they needed translations do you?

I concur with Jamey that this group didn't persuade people but instead caused more resentment.

Nombre,

Would it be inappropriate to put "Nicht geschnitten Gesundheitswesen" on a protest sign at Oktoberfest? Would that cause resentment amongst the Germans at the fair?

It's really about you isn't it? It's your feelings about people of Spanish decent. You think they should tip toe around their heritage to pander to Elton Gallegly.

People from Mexico aren't ashamed of who they are. Elton Gallegly may be afraid to put "Republican" on his signs in any language but Mexicans and those who speak Spanish are not ashamed so don't worry about it.

بكماء نكح

Student,

I respect the immigrants to America, both legal and illegal, that come here for a better life. I think it is great that people are bilingual and I support schools teaching students to speak Spanish. Cesar Chavez was a great American. We need a pathway to citizenship for immigrants. I am against a guest worker program because I want immigrants to become a part of our communities and stay here. All of this isn't enough for your litmus test though because in your world if I point out that citizens can read basic English and it was a bad tactic I am the racist?

But all of that said if the goal was to attract voters to a cause making signs in Spanish is a bad idea. All legislators speak English and registered voters don't likely need a basic phrase translated.

If the goal was to attract voters that might otherwise support cuts to health care clinics signs in Spanish are inflammatory and ineffective.

Calling people racist that generally agree with you isn't a compelling argument. If I cannot disagree with the people that helped put together this rally on tactics without being called a racist I am not interested in helping them.

What I guess you're saying is that seeing any language other than English in this country is a turn-off to some people. If you want to protest, you had better do it in English or you will lose votes.

No estamos haciendo ningún progreso.

I am sorry but I don't read Spanish. That means I cannot read your message. I think it is fair to ask people to speak English to be able to understand politics. If someone needs help I understand but if someone does speak English it is rude to say things to exclude people like you are doing.

You are asking for yet another tax increase after there was a huge tax increase a few months back. You want money out of my paycheck to help poor immigrant workers, but it is racist to ask people that speak English to communicate with other people in the language of our nation?

I was willing to support this program before I read this blog and saw the news coverage but not it seems you all are so demanding without showing appreciation. I am voting against it if given a chance.

You're asking them to understand YOUR version of politics.

So, to reiterate: Because you saw protesters with signs that had the slogan in both English and Spanish on the same side or reverse side, you would vote to deny 900,000 lower-income children, both Latino and non-Latino, health insurance?

Did you also feel the Pink Friday rallies were demanding? But those signs were not bilingual, so that was OK?

The tax to pay for the Healthy Families program is on cigarettes. They have proposed another on oil extraction.

I have been clear from the start that I respect immigrants, both legal and illegal. But if I point out that citizens don't need basic phrases translated you and other posters are willing to call me a racist?

Yes, if supporters are willing to throw out the the dirty attack of calling people that question their tactics racists I am not willing to support that program. How important can the program be if their most vocal supporters aren't willing to try to appeal to moderate voters but are willing to call people racists without good reason?

I knew the people here knew it was divisive and ineffective when they stopped addressing my arguments and instead just called me a racist.

If anything the racists are those that assume voters need basic phrases translated for them!

Did anyone else here besides you use the word "racist"? I missed that.