RC>EXACTLY! And *despite* the fact that German was nearly as
RC>widespread a language as English, that Congress specifically
RC>made NO provision for government operation in that second
RC>language. 
 
   The point is that English, as the language of operating government,
is no more that a matter of convienence.  Just as Engliah was once
selected and is currently used, should circumstances ever change, it
may be replaced by any other language just as easily.  It ougth not be
the role of a government, in a free society, to determine what language
the people speak nor, in a representative government, mandate they must
com,municate with their own representatives in any other language than
the most convienent for the individual citizen.
RC>That vote clearly indicates that the original intent of the
RC>Founders was that government would operate in a SINGLE
RC>language which would form a common connection among all
RC>citizens. To now suggest that government adopt a second or
RC>third language is clearly a violation of original intent.
 
    It only indicates to me that it was rational for elected and
appointed officers of government to use a common language among
themselves.  It does not indicate to me that either the intent, or even
the desire, was to mandate that all citizens be required to deal with
their representative government in a language of that governments
choice.   
 
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