SHOULD JUDGES DECIDE IF YOUR ENGLISH IS PROFICIENT ENOUGH TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE?
I chose this story in part because it will show the hypocrisy of the radical right. It seems to me that in a real democracy it is for me to decide if the candidate can or cannot perform his or her duties if elected to public office.
Well maybe not, in Arizona.
"YUMA, Ariz.—A judge ruled that a city council candidate in Arizona must be removed from the ballot due to lack of English proficiency.
The ruling on Wednesday came after the San Luis City Council approved a motion Jan. 13 asking for verification that Alejandrina Cabrera met the requirement of a state law that any person holding office in the state, a county or city must speak, write and read English.
San Luis Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla filed a lawsuit in December asking the court to determine if Cabrera's English skills were sufficient to qualify her to seek the four-year council seat in the city's primary election."
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2012/01/26/candidate_removed_from_ballot_over_english_rule_1327624776/
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2012/01/26/candidate_removed_from_ballot_over_english_rule_1327624776/
Here is a key part of the story, from the same article.
"Eggington's report said Cabrera's English skills don't meet the level of language proficiency needed to serve on the council.
Minore said the action against his client was politically motivated because of her efforts to recall Escamilla.
Cabrera began circulating petitions to recall the mayor in April after the council hiked utility rates and approved the layoffs of 12 city employees as part of spending cuts to balance the budget."
Here is the thing, whether I like it or not, I can understand people debating whether or not a person should be proficient in English to serve in elective office. What I do not understand is judges making that decision for me.
The radical right are always complaining about the judges and judicial activism. It is a very dangerous thing when a political opponent can sue to have a judge take their critic off of the ballot. This is not how democracy works. It seems to me the best judges of this woman's ability to serve are the voters.
I am curious to learn if the radical right is going to yell judicial activism, or English first? My only issue is, the people should be allowed to decide these matters and not judges.
Here is the thing, whether I like it or not, I can understand people debating whether or not a person should be proficient in English to serve in elective office. What I do not understand is judges making that decision for me.
The radical right are always complaining about the judges and judicial activism. It is a very dangerous thing when a political opponent can sue to have a judge take their critic off of the ballot. This is not how democracy works. It seems to me the best judges of this woman's ability to serve are the voters.
I am curious to learn if the radical right is going to yell judicial activism, or English first? My only issue is, the people should be allowed to decide these matters and not judges.
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