Why do I have to "press 1 for English" in the U.S.A.?

WHY DO I HAVE TO PRESS 1 FOR ENGLISH IN AMERICA? 

USUALLY WHEN I PRESS 1 I GET CONNECTED WITH SOMEONE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WHO DOES SPEAK ENGLISH OR THE BROKEN ENGLISH THEY SPEAK IS UNINTELLIGIBLE.  THERE IS A PROBLEM!
STOP OBAMA! Stop Obama's Second Term Agenda WIDGET. FOLLOW LINK FOR DETAILS.