Reading and writing English is a mess for US schools. Our kids have terrible math and science skills. So instead of proposing real improvements in these areas Obama is pushing teaching a second language. Gee, in France the official language is French. Maybe if Americans all learned English they would be better propared to learn a second language.

Why do I have to make sure my kids can speak Spanish? What if I want them or they want to learn Japanese or German? I will not force my kids to speak another language because it is convenient for people who refuse to learn THIS country's language. We should not have to press 1 to continue in English.

I get it -- Barack Obama's education priorities will be based, not on what is best for our country or our kids, but on what makes HIM feel good. In this case, we must correct -- and pronto -- the inability of Boobus Americanus to speak Spanish, French, German, etc., when abroad because His Majesty finds this personally embarrassing. Peasants -- what a drag!

Perhaps Obama has forgot that this is America? The majority of citizens and legal residents speak the language of the Pilgrims. The judicial system was based on English common law. Senator Obama has just alienated himself from millions of the population, who consider themselves American. He has just made a dangerous mistake to his run for the presidency, to insinuate our children should learn to speak the SPANISH language. Incidentally, being born in Europe I speak schoolboy French. Newcomers, who come to this nation legally strive to speak English. This is a disturbing revelation that is against our sovereignty, our national patriotism and our United States Constitution. If anything we should learn French, because it was the French who came to our aid, when fighting against British tyranny in 1776. Not Mexico, Not Spain. How dare this Senator imply our own children should be bilingual in Mexican/Spanish. For Obamas ignorance towards our history, patriots need to read between the lines. Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike better force a vote on the federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088) In November it may be too late.NUMBERSUSA for facts

Obama did not mention if his own children spoke another language.

Obama says "You need to make sure your child can speak Spanish." Why Spanish, other than the fact that Obama wants the hispanic vote? Wouldn't it have been better for Obama to have said, in explicating the obvious, that its a good thing for your children to know any foreign language? Why not Russian, Hebrew or Arabic? Aren't there enough votes there.?

Stay ignorant!

Obama is correct. The only reason that we should give priority here in the States to learning Spanish is a practical one. One we have so many spanish speakers here, Two, we need it for business. Bilingual people will always be preferred employees (that means they make more money.) So a son or daughter, for example, who is bi-lingual will be more likely to be hired than an "American" who doesn't. Grow up America.

There is nothing wrong with bilingual as long as English is the primary for everyone and they have a CHOICE for the secondary. Trying to learn math, science and history in two languages is college level and should not be forced upon our youth unless they show the capability. Learn the structure, etiquette and grammar of English and transfer that knowledge to learning a second language.

Barack is right that our children should be speaking more than one language, but why should that language be Spanish? He mentioned Americans embarassing themselves when they visit Europe and don't speak the language, but last time I checked, the majority of Europeans don't speak Spanish. He is just trying to get that Hispanic vote.

RE: Grabbag Spanish is not needed for business unless your serving lunch at McDonalds or run a Landscaping sweatshop. Granted there are businesses that specifically deal with Spanish speaking companies from Spanish speaking countries. Being bi-lingual doesn't mean you have to know Spanish as your second language. Having the Spanish language as a second official language in the U.S. is exactly what everyone or mostly everyone does not want to happen. I am sure a person who knows French or German as well has a equally great chance of landing a job. The fact that you are agreeing with Obama shows either that your ignorant to what his intentions are, or you are willing to change this country to meet the requirements of those who come to this country and want us all to change to better suit their needs, which puts you on the same level as that idiot in Britain who is allowing the Muslim Law to be practiced in the heart of England even though it is proven to break the English owns laws. Everyones problem with this is that forcing Americans to learn Spanish is opening the door for all those Spanish speakers that come here and refuse to learn English to change this country to accommodate their ignorance. Learn it only if it helps you and you want to. Or lets do it according to grabbags thinking and lets all start learning Shiria Law or what ever the spelling is to accommodate the radical Muslims to come and live here. Cover up your female family members quick!.