Letter writer intolerant of other cultures

This letter is in response to Art Sholty's letter in the Jan. 8 Bulletin.

Mr. Sholty, you seem to be very intolerant of other people's beliefs and cultures (especially in the last sentence of your letter).

The reason that you have to press No. 1 to choose English is because English isn't the only language in use on this planet. In case you haven't noticed, there is a whole world of other cultures out there, but you are ignorantly stuck in the belief that yours trumps all.

Sure, these phone systems you speak of are in use right here in America. I'll even give you the fact that people coming into our country should learn how to speak our native language so they can get by. But sometimes, people are just more comfortable explaining their problems in their native tongue than struggling to try to find the right English words to get their point across.

This country was founded on the principles of freedom. Freedom to speak the language they want to speak, freedom to practice what they want, and so on. Stop trying to push your beliefs and your God on everyone else, because not everyone sees it the same way you do. America thrives because of this freedom and enjoys being one of the most culturally diverse places in the world.

My good buddy, Thomas, wrote this little document a few years ago called The Declaration of Independence. Perhaps you've heard of it? In it, he explicitly states that "… all men are created equal." Remember that phrase? Equal. You'd do good to remember that. Just because you don't like them speaking other languages or having different beliefs doesn't make it wrong. It just makes you pig-headed.

So go ahead — don't press the button and be arrogant and adamant about it in your own ways. Don't take your anger out on other people just because you refuse to hit the button.

Next time I call somewhere and they ask me to press No. 1 for English, I'll gladly press it, knowing that somewhere else out there, someone else was given the freedom to choose how they'd like to communicate.

I'll be sure to press it an extra time, just for you.
Jeff Heimbuch
Brick