I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PRESS 1 FOR ENGLISH. WE ARE IN THE UNITED STATES, LEARN THE LANGUAGE! Over 200,000 people "like" this on Facebook, including 2 of my Facebook friends. Pat Buchanon, during his run for president aired ads in which a person calling 911 waited as the automated voice when through various languages. The implication being, of course, the by the time the caller reached the designated number for English it would be too late. The conservatives take great pride and pleasure in calling for "English only."
I must admit that when I was younger, during the late 70s and early 80s and living in Lawrence Massachusetts, I was less than happy about Spanish/English bi-lingual signs in the store where I worked and Spanish/English bi-lingual telephone and electric bills. I didn't think it was fair because I knew that immigrants from other countries, such as the French, Italians, Polish, etc., had to learn the English language. I think the idea that one group seemed to be treated differently back then was difficult for many people to understand, particularly those older non-English speaking immigrants, who had lived in the country for many years and had no choice but to learn English.
Now, being older and hopefully wiser, I am proud that non-English speakers are given the chance to communicate in their own language to get assistance in our country. I have grown. I understand now that forcing people to communicate only in English when they first arrive creates obstacles to their ability to succeed.
Do I think all people should learn English? Yes, I do because we must have a language that is understood and can be spoken by all residents in order to communicate particularly news and/or instructions that are vital to overall safety.