Earlier in the week, Bluestem Prairie hailed the dedication of the Drazkowski clan, of Bluff Siding, Wisconsin, to job creation. The post, Drazkowski: In age of widening wealth gap, let working people choose to earn less received a fair bit of attention as Drazkowski's fame spreads.
The Winona Daily News thinks that its readers should look elsewhere for evidence of Drazkowski's legislative brilliance. In Our view: The good and the bad bills in St. Paul, publisher Rusty Cunningham writes on behalf of the editorial board:
. . .If you’re seeking Exhibit A for time-wasting, divisive legislation, look to Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa.
For the third time, Drazkowski has introduced legislation that demands that English be used as Minnesota’s official language.
He says it will promote unity and cut costs.
Instead, it will promote cultural divisiveness and tell businesses interested in pursuing a global economy that Minnesota isn’t the place to do business.
Cut costs? We’ve yet to see a dollar figure — never mind that this is the third time around for this bill. . . .
. . .Our motto does not say — and should never say — speak English or get out.
That wasn’t what our state stood for when the French and Polish and other Europeans came here. It isn’t what the state stands for now that Hmong and others have settled here.
In 2009, former Rep. Cy Thao — born in Laos — challenged Drazkowski to a spelling contest in English on the House floor, and promised that he would vote for Drazkowski’s English-only bill if he lost.
Drazkowski’s response was to say that he would agree as long as the tie-breaker was in Polish.
There’s nothing funny about this bill. There’s nothing productive about the debate.
From the era depicted in the state seal and into the future, hatred in any language is wrong.
It’s not what Minnesota or Minnesotans stand for.
The board must not have noticed the jobs the bill would create, predicted in our post,Tongue in cheek: WSU English teacher gets cheeky about official English bill.
(shakes head)
Posted by: Phoenix Woman | Jan 22, 2011 at 09:08 PM