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TechnoratiNader's Message Brings Maine Voters To Their Feet
The presidential candidate blasts the powers in Washington for the recent financial crisis.
PORTLAND, Maine - Ralph Nader brought a Portland audience to its feet Monday night with his signature call to fight Wall Street greed, corporate crime and the military industrial complex.
![[Ralph Nader speaks to about 250 people gathered at First Parish Church of Portland on Monday night. He is on the ballot as an independent candidate for president. (Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer)]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/naderinportland1007.jpg "naderinportland1007.jpg")
"If you're not indignant, you're not a citizen," Nader said to about 250 people gathered at First Parish Church in Portland.
Nader, who's on the Nov. 4 ballot as an independent presidential candidate, skewered last week's $700 billion Wall Street bailout.
He said Congress approved the unprecedented taxpayer-backed rescue even though many Americans believe it will benefit executives who caused the mortgage-related financial crisis without holding them accountable.
"That means your representatives in Congress shut you down," Nader said. "Wall Street stuffed Washington into a barrel and rolled it."
Nader said he's running for president again because the United States is drowning in debt and Americans have surrendered control of their lives to corporations that are running the country.
Regarding corporate influence in government, Nader said the biggest difference between Republicans and Democrats is "the speed at which their knees hit the floor" when corporations knock on the door.
He said he wants to reform the tax system, in part because the government has reverted to the days of taxation without representation that led to the Revolution. "We're back to 1775," he said.
Nader noted that about half of the nation's annual operating budget is spent on defense and corporations that make up the so-called military industrial complex.
He said the true sign of courage in leadership is having the ability to wage peace and diplomacy.
Nader said he wants to improve workplace health and safety, continue fighting for consumer rights and provide universal health care for Americans.
Nader criticized the energy policies of the presidential candidates representing the major political parties, Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain and Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.
He said both support a banquet of fuel options, including oil, coal and nuclear power, that aren't good for consumers or the environment.
Nader supports clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and wants to put a stop to oil, nuclear, electric and coal subsidies.
"Some forms of energy are better than others," said Nader.
Nader, who's on the ballot in 45 states and the District of Columbia, also complained that third-party candidates are excluded from the presidential debates.
"I looked at that stage the other night," Nader said. "It really had a lot of space, didn't it?"
The audience at the Congress Street church included people of all ages and political persuasion.
Nader is "a Connecticut Yankee with a very high order of intellect," said Tom Little, an independent voter from Connecticut who is working as an apple picker at a local orchard. "I don't agree with him on everything, but he represents a legal, law-enforcement response to a criminal government."
"I've voted for Ralph every time he's been on the ballot," said Claudine Grange, a Democrat who is a nurse practitioner and lives in Portland.
Grange disputed the notion that she's throwing away her vote in what is basically a two-way race.
"I vote my conscience," she said. "Whether he wins or not isn't important. He's educating the public and he's telling the truth and that's what matters."
96 Comments so far
Show Allregressive
Proud to be voting for Ralph Nader?
Why don't you just vote for the tooth fairy?
It will have the same impact.
You are choosing to opt out instead of choosing a President.
Those of us who care about what happens to the country are choosing to vote for the better of the two viable candidates.
Obama '08.
I am in awe. I am young but not stupid. I was fed up with dem and rep BS Never heard of Nader until 2 weeks ago. Did my research and he has my vote.
The only reason that people like you think he would never get into the white house is because 50% off Americans think that there are only two people running. From there it is pick the lesser of the two evils. 30% know exactly who they will vote for cause they have always voted straight ticket. The onther 20% say well 50% of Americans are going to vote for the lesser of the two so my third party vote wont count anyways. Lets take a stand together. Ever play red rover! I do think that the Media is at fault for people like me who don't even know that more people are running and what they stand for. I am embarrased to be called an American for that reason. We should be ashamed of ourselves. I know that there are tons more people like me who will do the research cause they care. You said that you care Quote "Those of us who care about what happens to the country are choosing to vote for the better of the two viable candidates" and your just voting for the lesser of two evils so give it up and do your homework find out the truth instead of throwing Obama in our face.
But if you think that Obama is going to pull us out of our rut YOUR DEAD WRONG. Do you honestly think a man that will swear into the office on the quran(like he did for his current office) will uphold any of the Christan values our Great nation was built upon. It's a 50 50 toss up for him being a great leader and the anti Christ and Why give him any kind of shot I'm not going to! The only thing I don't understand is why we are so stupid to put him in the position we did.
Oh yeah it's because Islam said they would tear America down from the inside out! What better way than to give an islam our NATIONS SECRETS!
colondra00 sez:
"Do you honestly think a man that will swear into the office on the quran(like he did for his current office) will uphold any of the Christan values our Great nation was built upon."
I disagree with the Nader supporters choice of a Presidential candidate, and I think some of them are a bit - over-enthused - but for the most part they take care to educate themselves about political issues.
If you are, in fact, a Nader supporter, instead of someone trying to make them look bad, you need to learn to do more than parrot right-wing propaganda.
"Obama sets record straight on his religion
Presidential candidate battles misconception that he's a Muslim
updated 7:49 a.m. PT, Mon., Jan. 21, 2008
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Barack Obama is stepping up his effort to correct the misconception that he's a Muslim now that the presidential campaign has hit the Bible Belt.
At a rally to kick off a weeklong campaign for the South Carolina primary, Obama tried to set the record straight from an attack circulating widely on the Internet that is designed to play into prejudices against Muslims and fears of terrorism.
"I've been to the same church _ the same Christian church _ for almost 20 years," Obama said, stressing the word Christian and drawing cheers from the faithful in reply. "I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. So if you get some silly e-mail ... send it back to whoever sent it and tell them this is all crazy. Educate."
Obama is referring to a debunked chain e-mail circulating widely on the Internet that suggests he is hiding his Islamic roots and may be a terrorist in disguise. It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the pledge."
More at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22767392/
www.votenader.org Nader will be running radio ads from now till election.
wild;)
Shame this had to go off the main page so quickly.
Thanks for the showing anyway Commondreams.
Nader needs all the exposure he can get to get elected.
Should be an equal game field.
I would like to read what the other candidates are writing.
LEAKED! Questions that got BANNED from the town hall "debate"...
"Senator McCain, regarding our hostages in Guantanamo, does their experience being tortured by us for the last five years prepare them to be presidents of their respective countries?"
More banned questions at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuQDTjx-ygM
The bailout give me what I needed to finally dump the Dems on their asses. I am voting against anyone and everyone who voted for it. That means Nader gets my vote. Nader, Kucinich and Bernie Sanders are the only real Democrats out there. All the rest are sleezy actors in the one party drama called an election. Nader didn't give away the 2000 election, Dems lost it to election theft just like they did in 2004. Do you hear a peep from them on election theft? No, they are too busy listening to the same people who brought us free trade, NAFTA, welfare reform for babies but not corporations, and media consolidation. This is not the party of FDR; and until they are, screw em.
They're asking for another four years -- in a just world, they'd get 10 to 20 ~~ Dennis Kucinich
The Iron clad way you drones can tell if a man/woman has OUR best interest at heart;
They'll attack him/her with lies, (knowing of course most of you will scoop it up and abandon a good man/woman),
Flat-out BLOCK any decent legislation/ bills he/she introduces,
(knowing, of course most of you will do nothing to remove those who block it),
have their Zionist media BLOCK them from any debate which will of course be ordained by their Supreme Court, (knowing of course most of you will allow this too because, well, just because I guess),
Blow his/her brains all over their spouse while those detailed to "defend" are picking their noses, (knowing of course most of you will do NOTHING cuz we need to "move on, get past this horrible period in our "great country's history").
Basically, about all most of you are good for is allowing yourselves to be lied into committing mass-murder defending this hole from enemies 1/50th our size for an "ally" that murders our citizens THEN...allowing it YET AGAIN in less than 5 years!!!
Wow, pathetic. Any decent man/woman who'd go to bat for you has NO IDEA what their in for.
Lidocaine
Procaine
Propane
or
Cocaine
Anything but John McCain
We have a unique moment right now to break the 2 party system. Both the Dems and the Reps are disgusted with their partys and a big change could be a vote away.
People have to learn to base their vote on something other than FEAR. This dark energy is exactly what the Rep/Dem monopoly depends on and feeds you to retain control. When a third party is thrown in, it might only take 34% to win. With a second 3rd party it might only take 26% to win.
OK, peeps! It is time to get tough and pass on our treasures to others.
It is time to break out your BULWORTH movies and show people what a real hero in government looks like.
“Is the system going to flatten you out and deny you your humanity, or are you going to be able to make use of the system to the attainment of human purposes?” - Joseph Campbell
Nader said the biggest difference between Republicans and Democrats is "the speed at which their knees hit the floor" when corporations knock on the door.
-gotta love it! I was going to vote for the Green Party but Ralph has made me reconsider. When a DPA pointed out that Cynthia's choice for V.P. wasn't all that keen I thought about it and started reconsidering. Ralph is solid.
To the DPA's that "troll" CD in order to attack any comment that isn't supportive of Dims I say, yes I understand Ralph isn't going to win. I vote my conscience and being an antiwar person I cannot vote for prowar candidates such as Obama.
Please spare me your stupid comments. Thanks.
How about sparing us your stupid posts?
Thanks.
Hey ctrl-z,
Have you noticed you are in the minority here?
We are supporting the candidate, who is on the ballot in 45 states, who we would like to see in the White House. Isn't that what elections are about? You vote for the person who you want to win. We want Nader to win, therefore we vote for him.
Have you ever voted for someone who you knew would lose, but you did it anyway because they were the person you wanted? Or do you live in an area that is solidly Dem for decades?
Let it go. Vote for who you want. We'll vote for who we want.
TwinSkippy
TwinSkippy sez: "Have you noticed you are in the minority here?"
TwinS, until about a month ago Nader was rarely mentioned on CD and discourse was more civil.
Not sure if there'e a cause and effect relationship there.
I don't think all the 3rd party posters here are really third-party supporters. Some are, but it's impossible to tell the difference between disillusioned progressives and trolls for McCain.
They sound the same.
I don't think it's right to just abandon CD to the trolls and psuedo-progressives whose arguments do nothing but help McCain.
TwinS sez: "Have you ever voted for someone who you knew would lose, but you did it anyway because they were the person you wanted?"
Yes, twice, but it was in a state where the outcome was known. In that situation there's nothing wrong with sending a message.
And TwinS - Have you noticed you are in the minority in the election?
Does that mean you're going to give up? :-)
Over time I've become persuaded that the "powers that be" give us Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum to distract us from voting for a _real_ alternative to the royal corporacratic state.
One candidate is just so damned bad and flawed and awful that the alternative who is still a moderate corporate hand-puppet actually looks enlightened and therefore seductive. Compare W vis a vis Gore and Kerry. I remain convinced W (a terrible candidate) was set up _to lose_ the 2000 and 2004 elections but through wile and a series of dirty tricks (and his dad's "connections" in the USSC) actually beat the odds (and the _accurate_ exit polls).
For 2008 we have as "choices" a narcissistic, impulsive, hopelessly corrupt, classless, offensive war-monger on one side and a mellow community organizer on the other. Both have strong corporate ties. One is a lot nicer, a powerful orator, and more telegenic. So much for the "two party" system.
Nader who has more talent, integrity, and ethics in his pinky and a humanistic world-view of significance to boot is marginalized. He is underfunded, neglected by the corporate media, and made the scapegoat who will "steal" votes from the "nicer" candidate and thus propel the "really bad candidate" into office "as happened in 2000" (yeah, repeat that canard long enough and even intelligent, college educated folks start to believe it!).
Hey, it's not a vote _for_ Obama. It's really a vote _against_ McCain, against a sequel to W's insane, wasteful, dead-end policies. But it ends up effectively keeping Nader and his worldview light-years away from the Oval Office.
Why? If Nader's New Deal-type philosophy were implemented we would _finally_ join the more civilized industrial countries of Europe such as West Germany and Sweden. Corporate America would not want that! Corporations would have to pay their way and get off _welfare_. To remain on the taxpayer gravy train they contribute to our two party candidates. One of whom is certain to win.
Nader's basic decency is a threat to corporate America. By keeping up the pretense of an open, public debate of the candidates in the "two party system" Nader remains politically (and effectively) neutered.
Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum in their own way--due to the near unlimited amount of publicity they get--are weapons of mass _distraction_ from a Nader candidacy.
That's my cynical take. Sorry.
That's exactly what I thought as I watched the "debates" that excluded anyone not in favor of war and fat-cat bailouts. Tweedle Dim vs. Tweedle Dumb
"I vote my conscience," she said. "Whether he wins or not isn't important. He's educating the public and he's telling the truth and that's what matters."
That lady said it all.
Nader!
Hey, if voting your conscience puts the worst candidate in office, maybe you should ask yourself if it's conscience or your ego.
Because in the real world, the President has a lot of power.
MmmMMMmmmMMmmmm... Much fear in you I sense. More training you will need. Learn to control your fear you must.
Do not vote out of fear. If you vote your values and for what you believe in, and McCain wins anyway, so be it. Nader and other 3rd parties will continue to become more appealing and more powerful as time goes on and Democrats will have to start adopting Nader's values to win elections.
If everyone who is planning to vote out of fear instead planned to vote their values (assuming they know Nader is running), we would easily have a three way race right now. Obama and McCain would have to throw out their corporate policies in favor of more social policies to have a chance against Nader.
If you vote for Obama out of fear, you are allowing the Democratic party and corporate think-tanks to control you against your own rationale.
Ah, but telling the truth doesn't matter to loyalist Dems. Only winning is important to them (like Republicans). And loyalist Dems are so caught up in this way of thinking that they can't see how Obama's positions mirror McCain's. Or, if they do notice it, it just becomes "an inconvenient truth" that they abolish from their minds.
Voting out of fear will just lead to greater corporate rule, fascism and more wars without end. You have to make the machine stop, and that means abandoning the duopoly of the Democrats and Republicans. Nothing else will make it stop.
-TIA
Guess what? The President will occupy the highest position in our government. Other Presidents have done things like starting illegal wars and listening to peoples phone calls.
So maybe you should think about who is actually going to occupy the office.
'Cause it's not gonna be Nader.
Guess what? Obama voted for listening to peoples phone calls and voted for funding the illegal war in Iraq . So - maybe YOU should think about who is actually going to occupy the office and start voting for the person who supports what you say!
NADER has been the only adult running in this election. I have tried and tried to imagine going for Obama if only to keep Dr. Death and his Imbecile-Princess out of Washington DC. But I'll tell you---the Wall Street extortionists blew it wide open, and when Obama just kissed all the same asses as McPain, that was it. I just can't do it, Obama. You have spit on everybody who helped you get this far. You have earned my NADER vote. Period. Just can't do it, baby.
Were it not for Palin, I might vote for Nader but this woman scares the hell out of me should she become the GWB of the next Presidency.
There will ALWAYS be a scary Rep. running. If you wait to vote progressive until there are no more scary Rep., you will NEVER do so. It is past time.....
The scary Rep. loves people like you (but he won't show it once he's elected).
The scary Republican doesn't love people like us - We criticize them more than the Dems criticize them. On the other hand the Corporate Democrats love people like you who vote out of fear. They like people who vote out of fear because that's what they did when they all caved in and voted for the Patriot Act, FISA, illegal wars, bailing out their corporate sponsors. You know Goldman Sachs (Henry "blank check" Paulson's company) is Obamas biggest contributor. So you keep voting for those people because you are afraid and let me know how that works out for you.
To improve the system, you need to abolish the electoral college, AND implement proportional representation that many democracies already have.
If proporational representation were in place in 2000, the neocons would never have had over 50% representation.
The winner-take-all system facilitates fascist takeover of government.
Ralph is our champion.
Barack is our fraud.
Barack Obama was for single payer before he came out against it.
What was Ralph Nader thinking when he decided to run for president against impossible odds? Read WHAT WAS RALPH NADER THINKING? and find out! Written by Nader's filmmaker, Jurgen Vsych http://thewomandirector.com
It's an especially valuable biography for young voters, who may not fully know Nader's incredible record of public service.
Mame McQueen
http://thewomandirector.com
So if all 'progresives vote for Nadar, what happens when the majority of americans vote for McCain? We are still in a two party dominated system and until we balance the playing field its one or the other. Obama '08 Barkley 2012.
what happens? WHAT HAPPENS?
more bailouts,
more wars,
more threats: I just heard Mccain @ debate in nashville " I'll get osama ben ladin, no matter what"
more 'no matter whats'------Gee Whiz imagine that
more prisons,
more private contractors,
more "war on drugs"
more bait & switch,
more guantanomo,
more axis of evil,
more, more, excellent questions,
more fake jobs,
more fake money,
more homeland security,
more fences, more, more,
more unwarranted survellence,
more NAFTA,
more illegal aliens,
more, more,
more excuses,
more impeachment off the table,
more deregulation,
more law enforcement,
more speculation,
more, more,
more "its not about the oil",
more 911,
more global warming,
more drill drill drill,
more sellout to the highest bidder,
more electorial college,
more Federal Reserve,
more SUVs,
more nukes,
more imports,
more school of the Americas,
more shock & awe.
Or you can vote one or the other, I'll Vote Nader/Gonzalez!
wild;)
I was watching the Canadian Leaders debates on C-SPAN last night and I realized what a sham the US presidential elections are. Five leaders (Conservatives, Greens, New Democratic Party, the Liberal Party, and the Quebec block) were there debating environment, health, arts, the economy, and foreign policy with diverse policy positions. It seems that they were talking to a well informed and active citizenry.
I learned more about policy from one debate from our northern neighbors than I have from the whole US electoral process - an over kill in my opinion. One thing that keeps haunting me from the VP debate is Sarah Palin's patronizing statement on us Americans being special and exceptional - yeah right, what BS. We're exceptional alright - we're exceptionally fat and stupid - a clear cultural indicator of the great american dream of greed, speculation, passive consumerism and sheer gluttony on a massive scale.
I apologize for the rant, I know not everyone is is like this, its just watching the Canadian debate made me so angry at the shiite being dished out this year. Its quite demoralizing. Anyone feel like moving to another country?
Yes.
VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE
VOTE NADER
If you live in one of the 5 states where he is not on the ballot, WRITE HIM IN. Its not that hard to write 'RALPH NADER'. I have done it for more than 20 years.
Do you guys think it would be easier for a third party candidate to win the Presidency if the electoral college were to go away? At the very least, there would be no 'strategic vs values' decision about voting, since there would be no such thing as swing states.
Not only that, it would be preferable to any Democrats who consider Nader a spoiler.
It would be preferable to all Democrats who complained about Gore winning the popular vote and losing the electoral vote.
It would be preferable for all voters in non-swing states.
So why is there no momentum for an Amendment for this?
Good question...we can provide the momentum for this. When Congress reconvenes, we should put them up to it. I'll call my Representative and Senators after election day and demand they introduce an amendment to provide for popular election of the Presidency, as they themselves are elected.
Yes, abolish the electoral college and then every vote would really count.
I am so proud to be casting my vote for Ralph Nader! I am proud of McKinney voters! I am ashamed of Obama voters & McCain voters - they are voting for four more years of imperial aggression, U.S. terrorism, deaths of hundreds of thousands of valuable human beings, Wall Street bailouts & insane economic policies... Imagine: if all progressives voted for Ralph Nader the message would be sent that we aren't going to capitulate to lesser evilist b.s. blackmail!
regressive
Proud to be voting for Ralph Nader?
Why don't you just vote for the tooth fairy?
It will have the same impact.
You are choosing to opt out instead of choosing a President.
Those of us who care about what happens to the country are choosing to vote for the better of the two viable candidates.
Obama '08.
I am in awe. I am young but not stupid. I was fed up with dem and rep BS Never heard of Nader until 2 weeks ago. Did my research and he has my vote.
The only reason that people like you think he would never get into the white house is because 50% off Americans think that there are only two people running. From there it is pick the lesser of the two evils. 30% know exactly who they will vote for cause they have always voted straight ticket. The onther 20% say well 50% of Americans are going to vote for the lesser of the two so my third party vote wont count anyways. Lets take a stand together. Ever play red rover! I do think that the Media is at fault for people like me who don't even know that more people are running and what they stand for. I am embarrased to be called an American for that reason. We should be ashamed of ourselves. I know that there are tons more people like me who will do the research cause they care. You said that you care Quote "Those of us who care about what happens to the country are choosing to vote for the better of the two viable candidates" and your just voting for the lesser of two evils so give it up and do your homework find out the truth instead of throwing Obama in our face.
But if you think that Obama is going to pull us out of our rut YOUR DEAD WRONG. Do you honestly think a man that will swear into the office on the quran(like he did for his current office) will uphold any of the Christan values our Great nation was built upon. It's a 50 50 toss up for him being a great leader and the anti Christ and Why give him any kind of shot I'm not going to! The only thing I don't understand is why we are so stupid to put him in the position we did.
Oh yeah it's because Islam said they would tear America down from the inside out! What better way than to give an islam our NATIONS SECRETS!
Make me laugh before I weep.
"Those of us who care about...blablabla...of the two "viable" candidates..."
So you mean that it is better to just have the same criminal agenda as long as it "sounds" good, and "looks as though" social progress has been made than it is to vote one´s conscience?
Do YOU have a conscience? What is it based on? Soundbites and spinflicks?
What, precisely, is such a "vote" worth anyway?
You claim that the only "viable" candidates are the representatives of the criminal regime?
Interesting.
Are you actually trying to seriously put forward that YOUR silencing of your own voice as a global citizen is anything other than "voting for the tooth fairy"?
For me, your effort amounts to abject personal surrender rather than face the hard fact that this social war for the planet has been going on for a long while and is likely going to last for several more generations.
Helping any servant of the enemy to human brotherhood gain public office by casting one´s vote for it is hardly an effective tactic.
A mass movement to not vote at all in a bogus stageshow for any of the corporate prostitutes for hire, as in marches and sit-ins on election day across the nation could prove to be much more effective.
Writing in the candidate that most closely mirrors your conscience and your human needs is another.
Giving up is not an option.
No 3rd party candidate is going to be elected President this year.
Your 'conscience' apparently doesn't care about the outcome of the election.
So you're not going to try to impact the outcome.
You've decided to leave that decision to others.
So you may as well vote for the tooth fairy, for all the difference your vote will make.
That is only cause 50% of voters rely on the Media to make up their minds for them. Unlike you...you actually know about Nader and yet you do NOTHING! Why don't you go out and make a stand for something worth while. You could make a diffrence! Instead you will sit on the side lines cause it is more fun than actually playing the game. You seem to have time to spread the word you are hear are you not? Why don't you do us all a favor and help stop corporate America before we fall so hard we can't get up. Instead of spuing off that Obama would make a great President before doing your research about what he really stands for.
While I support much of what Nader says, he is quite a bit less impressive as an organizer. At one time he appeared to be trying to organize the Green Party (a party I have little confidence in myself), but still, the Democrats within that party sabotaged even that. So did Ralph.
Where has Nader been in organizing an Antiwar Movement in this country? Does he not think it important? Then why has he been absent? Personally, I would be much happier if Cindy Sheehan had run with Matt Gonzalez, since she and Matt have been quite a bit more consistent in their organizing real alternatives than Nader. Ralph Nader acts as if the alternative is only himself, which it really isn't.
There is a real alternative to all this electorialism, and that is in between elections organizing the labor, antiwar, and other movements for change. Nader seems to nap between elections though? Personally I think the worst vote is for Obama since it shows that The System is actually conning you with its fake pretense at 'democracy' run by corporations. Better to vote McKinney, Nader, or another. Better to just not 'vote' at all perhaps? You have to have democracy to actually vote.
logansafi October 7th, 2008 3:34 pm wrote:
“Better to just not 'vote' at all perhaps?”
It’s never better to just not vote. By voting for an alternative, as you recommend, at least your dissatisfaction is recorded statistically. In the event that such dissatisfaction grows to significant levels, it can be measured. Please vote, and please vote your heart.
I believe you are correct about an Obama vote, it's a con.
So there's no difference between Obama & McCain/Palin?
Right.
Ralph: Just. Go. Away.
Hey JulieP, I don't see it. Can you tell me the difference? I watched them agree on everything in the first two 'debates'. Yes! on the bailout they said (but McCain called it a rescue). Yes! on the war, we can win, they both said. Yes! on nuclear power and 'clean'(?)coal. Yes on health care by the for profit insurance companies. Yes on expanding the wars into Pakistan. Yes! on cutting our domestic programs. Yes on drilling for more oil in the artic wilderness and off our beaches so that we can burn it and increase global warming. They both agree we Americans are special!! the best in the world! Yes you're right. Yes I agree with what you said. Yes, yes, yes they said to each other.
Maybe they have a difference in their opinion on repealing the Patriot Act and returning our right to free speech. Maybe they are opposed to torturing prisoners and arresting people without any chance to defend themselves at a trial. Maybe they might approve of conserving energy and making corporations pay their fair share of taxes. I don't know---these things were not mentioned. Maybe there is a difference between them about depriving corporations of their legal 'personhood'.
Obama is definitely better than McCain, but he is far from truly progressive. Nader's support among progressives should serve to get Obama to adopt more progressive stances on the issues, but for some dumb reason he has taken more conservative stances as time went on. I have no clue why, since racism is pretty much prevalent through conservative ideology and most conservatives would never vote for him anyway.
The reason is to further the interests of his corporate sponsors. He know he doesn't have to serve his "base" 'cause he knows they will vote for him anyway, no matter what he does - all he has to do is raise the specter of the "scary" Rep., feed the lie that a third party candidate "can't win" and "progressives" will fold their tents, abandon their principles and fall in line. This has worked enormously well for the Dems in the last 2 Pres. elections, they see no reason why it won't work again.
The biggest enemy of democracy is the phrase "(s)he can't win".........
If you had half a brain, you'd understand that this is true. Why don't you just go away? Pseudo-progressive Democrat apologist.
twreck troll sez:
"Why don't you just go away?"
We were here first, Psuedo-progressive McCain supporter.
Ha! Touche'. I think there are other articles for people who don't like Nader to post under, don't you? heh heh
As for trolling, examine some of your own responses to people before casting judgement, lest ye be a hypocrite.
Nader's run puts third parties on the map (barely). And that is critically important. The road to 'vialble third parties' has to start somewhere. As ridiculous as Perot was, at least he showed what may be possible. Same with Nader, except his policies are really good. Local activism and getting true progressives in local office is of course critical and is happening, but we can't discount a nationally recognized 'maverick' like Nader. Maybe the pollsters should ask the dems, "would you vote for Nader if you thought he had a chance?" or "whose policy recommendations do you support if you take the Presidency off the table?" What would the percentages be? and if they are high, well then Dems just lack the guts to vote their convictions. IF they are low, then the Dems really are the same (mostly) as the Repubs.
"I vote my conscience," she said. "Whether he wins or not isn't important. He's educating the public and he's telling the truth and that's what matters."
I'm voting my convictions.
I'm convinced we don't need another 4 years of republican rule.
I'm convinced it makes a difference who is in the White House.
That's why I'm voting for Obama.
Yes, Nader's campaign is actually a great opportunity. And we know opportunities are nothing until we actually exploit them. Here is an idea of how progressives may leverage Nader's campaign: Imagine if progressives mobilized themselves such that over the next few weeks the following question could be posed to five million supporters of the elite: What are the relative pros and cons of a Nader presidency versus an elite presidency? It's important for the progressive posing the question to think about the political dynamics that elites exploit to oppress the people. The fear in the people that the elites deliberately create to maintain these class hierarchies. When the progressive poses the question to the elite supporter, this is like gripping the hierarchy framework with both hands. At this point, the obvious thing to do is rattle it, and find out how unstable it really is.
Charlotte,
Sounds like you've got a head on your shoulders, that you're an independent/critical thinker. Welcome aboard! We need you, and other young people like you now more than ever.
Ralph's campaign motto should be "It's the stupid economy"
Nader has lots of youtube/videos including the one mentioned above "inforem" from san francisco last week. Of course the C-span version was complete (1.1 hr), and better quality on TV. Try www.votenader.org
Ralph's popularity has been soaring since he has stood up for the American people once again, this time in regards to the $850 Billion theft by the uber-wealthy, especially with Obama & McCain selling-out yet again, afraid to offend their corporate handlers.
But Gallop decides that Ralph Nader doesn't merit consideration in their presidential polls. They don't list Ralph in their polls.
It is Gallop polls that decide who gets to debate, who gets to be heard
The corporations will not allow this great man to be heard.
Where is the story on CD about Gallop not listing Nader in their presidential polls?
___________________________________
"Is there an objective standard you use to keep Ralph off your primary polling question?"
"No," Newport said.
"We use our internal judgment to decide."
__________________________________
If you'd like to call Frankie The Fascist at Gallop..........
Frank Newport
Editor-In-Chief
Gallop
609-924-9600
Great point. The polling organizations have largely evaded progressive scrutiny in the past. It could be that the polling organizations are actively corrupt. We can no longer afford to assume their integrity. Actually there are very significant elements in the society that have evaded our scrutiny, including the judiciary and academia. Another rather annoying failure of our public discourse is breadth and depth of comparisons of our society to other societies.
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http://www.nader.org/
An archive of articles Nader writes once a week.
Also a search for any topic he speaks about.
Very informative of all his beliefs.
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Well its clear that Michael Moore was right--Nader is insane.
His comments made no sense at all.
After all, the Democrats only voted for the bail out because Wall Street threatened to hurt the little guy(according to MM).
That's what makes Obama so great--he worked extra hard to make sure the bail out was passed to help the little guy.
Just kidding. ;)
Michael Moore lowered his standards according to the dictates of the Duopolist Party (one party, two candidates). That his prerogative. But to call someone like Ralph Nader insane is well ... insane. I suppose Jesus Christ was insane, given Moore's definition. Michael Moore seems rather shallow to me now.
When the Democrats betrayed the voters after the mid-terms, I got an email from Michael Moore - I'm on his list. He was livid. He'd had it with the traitorous Democrats and was putting his foot down. Now, here he is, stumping for the Democrats, even though the betrayal goes on and on, gets worse by the day.
Michael Moore is not a guru. He has made some excellent documentaries, has become very rich as a result and now is a Democratic Party apologist. It's the "little people" who are going to grow now into a very large and powerful collective movement. It appears that Michael Moore is not going to be a part of that. In fact, he is actively working against it, ostensibly to give power to the Democrat Party, where he says we'll have better luck getting our Democracy back. And Nader is insane? hmmmm.
I should have mentioned this in my previous post:
Ralph took questions at the end of his rally and of course someone asked him, "Should I vote my conscience or should I vote for Obama because McCain is just soooo much worse?"
After he got through listing all of the intersections of the Republican/Democratic ideolog(ies) I hope that she was convinced - ANY vote for Obama is NOT one for change or hope, but in reality, support for the corporations that rule this country.
Perhaps if third party candidates were allowed to speak at a national, televised forum then we could see actual "debates." As it stands now, we can look forward to 90 more mintues of meaningless rhetoric and sound bites tonight.
Even though the bailout was passed, the millions of emails, phone calls and faxes that our representatives received really made everyone stop and think. Just imagine if we all got together and demanded, for instance, that future debates include 3rd party candidates? What if we all said we will turn off our TVs altogether unless you listen next time?
That's how it starts, and how it matters. When Barack Obama is President, we need to do the same thing, to make sure he doesn't forget his promises.
JaneM
I wasn't going to vote because, although I'm only 18, I'm sick of politics and I'm very cynical about the (lack of a) democratic process in this country. Every time I read about Nader, though, I want to help him in some way. So, come November 4, I WILL vote. For Nader.
If you want to help Nader send him some money.
If you want to help the country vote for Obama.
Because either Obama or McCain will be our next President.
Not Ralph.
Awesome!
Double awesome for you Charlotte!!! You are an inspiration.
I'm proud to know that after I'm gone (I'm getting up there in years), an American like you will still be here, fighting for the people, demanding that your representatives actually represent the interests of the people, all of the people, not just a few fortunate ones. Perhaps you'll work towards ending the poverty that destroys so many lives, or you'll work to make wars obsolete (check out historian, Howard Zinn on this subject). Whatever you do, you are well on your way, You're a thinker with high standards. Good for you! Thanks for sharing here on Common Dreams.
I'm proud of you. There are people a lot older than you who haven't figured it out yet. 18 ? There is still a glimmer of hope for the future
I'd still like to see Kucinich president. And he was so good in his speeches during our tax give away last week, and now at the hearings on the Wall Street mess. In the century since this current election free-for-all began I've not had a single thought to whom my vote would go after they knocked all the good guys out of the running. But when I saw this article, even before I read it, I suddenly knew. Nader has my vote.
For nearly half a century Nader has fought the economic terrorists who have now brought the global economy to its knees. The US Senators and Representatives that voted in favor of the trillion dollar bailout and the Wall street criminals need to be imprisoned while they await trial for economic terrorism.
I believe it's more possible for a third party via Nader to win the presidency than any other time in history. As is said, "If you are not OUTRAGED by the two major parties, you are not paying attention". Stop the insanity by voting for the SOS and expecting different results.
It might be possible for a third party, but not for Nader's party because he's running as an independent. What kind of third party will he build this time?
I'm voting for Obama, but for those who can't, please consider voting for Cynthia McKinney and the Green Party. Nader is not building anything but issues, and issues without a base gets us nothing. Nader is nothing more than a protest vote, in my opinion. No winning candidate, no winning third party. Just protest.
(Note: I am not a Democrat or a DPA, so before anyone makes a fool of themselves by insinuating that I am, save your breath).
Yes, I agree and I've been around for over 60 years! This is it. If we take the reins now, we might be able to control the monster that has eaten away so much of our democracy. If we let it feast like this, it'll finish us off in no time.
Collectively, we have the strength to grab the reins and pull back the monster that would destroy us. (I include most of Congress and the two presidential candidates)
Vote Nader, 08!
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CSPAN VIDEO PLEASE WATCH
http://www.cspan.org/search.aspx?For=Nader
RWH: Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader (I) "INFORUM" Event
This week on Road to the White House, Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader held a campaign event in San Francisco at the Commonwealth Club of California. Mr. Nader answers questions about his presidential campaign and past runs for the White House. The independent candidate will be on the ballot in 45 states this Nov. 4th and is polling 5 to 6 percent nationally, according to the candidate's website.
Sunday : Washington, DC : 9-05-2008
VOTE NADER/GONZALEZ 2008…
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Nannie--
The CSPAN link you left does not open when activated--is there anywhere else this video might be found?
Poet
Hi Poet,
I just tried it and the link works now.
DS
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http://www.votenader.org/issues/
VOTE NADER 2008… You’ll be glad you did and so will I…
single payer national health insurance:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Cut the huge, bloated, wasteful military budget:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
No to nuclear power, solar energy first:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Aggressive crackdown on corporate crime and corporate welfare:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Open up the Presidential debates:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Adopt a carbon pollution tax:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Reverse U.S. policy in the Middle East:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Impeach Bush/Cheney:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Repeal the Taft-Hartley anti-union law:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Adopt a Wall Street securities speculation tax:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Put an end to ballot access obstructionism:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
Work to end corporate personhood:
Nader: On the table; Obama/McCain: Off the table
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About Ralph Nader
Attorney, author, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader has been named by Time Magazine one of the "100 Most Influential Americans in the 20th Century."
For more than four decades NADER has exposed problems and organized millions of citizens into more than 100 public interest groups advocating solutions.
NADER led the movement to establish ...Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Nader was instrumental in enacting the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and countless other pieces of important consumer legislation.
Because of RALPH NADER we drive safer cars, eat healthier food, breathe better air, drink cleaner water, and work in safer environments.
Nader graduated from Princeton University and received an LL.B from Harvard Law School.
About Matt Gonzalez
Matt Gonzalez was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2000 representing San Francisco's fifth council district. From 2003 to 2005, he served as Board of Supervisors President. A former public defender, Gonzalez is managing partner of Gonzalez & Leigh, a 7-attorney practice in San Francisco that represents individuals and organizations in mediation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings before state and federal regulatory bodies. Gonzalez graduated from Columbia University and received a JD from Stanford Law School.
About the Nader/Gonzalez Campaign
The Nader/Gonzalez independent presidential candidacy will be on the ballot in 45 states, is polling at 5-6 percent nationally, and a new Time/CNN poll shows Ralph Nader polling 8 percent in New Mexico, 7 percent in Colorado, 7 percent in Pennsylvania, and 6 percent in Nevada -- all key battleground states.
For more information on the Nader/Gonzalez campaign, visit: votenader.org.
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I hope he pays you well. Because if he does well, he'll put McCain in the White House to continue and amplify Bush/Cheney/Rove policies. (Nader has said it himself that the Bush administration was the worse in history.)
The mayhem that will result from McCain /Palin/Rove in the White House continuing Bush/Cheney policies will cause a lot of people a lot of pain. And it'll be because of people like you, who would rather push his gadfly, egotistical candidacy that can accomplish nothing positive, than support a candidate who has a chance of winning and will do far less damage. He could accomplish a lot if he'd work at the level that makes sense and keep his nose out of the presidential race until there's a viable third party.
You're right. I'd vote for Ralph Nader, but not if it's going to help John McCain and Sarah Palin. Third parties just aren't viable at this point.
VOTE FOR OBAMA
So Democracy and civic freedom is not viable at this point? Sounds like you live in the wrong country.
Is that all you can come up with? You are giving no facts here. I want you to list, like Nannie did in these comments, all the things Obama has done and will do for the people. According to Howard Zinn, the Republicans are just SLIGHTLY to the right of Obama. Obama is putty in the palm of the corporate fist. Get over him. He is abusing you. Find another. Hey, how about Ralph Nader?
Clinical psychologists have discovered in study after study, that 30% of people will always choose abusive power over someone who it trustworthy and has your best interests at heart. That's why so many people are in abusive relationships. They don't like the woman/man who is too nice, too dependable. It turns them off. Politicians know this. Could this be why so many are ga-ga over Obama? He has been selling us down the river and yet, there they are, cheerleading for him, eschewing Nader. Could it be, they don't respect straight-arrow truth and decency, but rather abusive power?
Hank o'fur -
Here's a list of what Nader will accomplish as President:
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Maybe clinical psychologists will be able to figure out why people who have the right to vote choose to send messages instead of having a part in the outcome of the election. Are they irresponsible or just afraid to choose someone who might win? Could it be that they simply don't respect democracy?
I saw him speak at Amherst on Sunday and it was so refreshing to hear a candidate say what needs to be done - not what he thinks everyone wants to hear.
Congress needs more people just like Ralph or we'll never get a Nader like presidency.
Progressives need to build their support at the local level and then expand to state and federal offices.
Parties are built from the ground up, not from the top down.
q
Its not working that way though. Look at the new people brought in in 06. You don't see them getting up and speaking out with the messages they spoke of when they claimed they would help take back our government. And I never see them in congress with the 30 something group when they use their time to discuss amoung themselves the problems with our government. I see the same handful of people each week. I do see my congressman there, Brown. But unfortunatly, his votes rarely match his complaints. When it comes down to it, he's just like Obama and votes against what he states he stands for.
True that political movements must start at the grass roots level but the presidential race allows progressives to exploit the national media and build unity among progressives nationwide. It would be foolish not to exploit it. Beyond this, many of us have looked hard at the idea of a progressive "nobody" in the oval orifice and we've concluded that we do not need elites running the US government, we do not need their "leadership", and a "nobody", that is someone who is NOT hooked into the crony network, is much preferable for occupation of the oval orifice. Ralph Nader CAN and SHOULD occupy it.
rtdrury sez:
"Ralph Nader CAN and SHOULD occupy it."
No he can't.
Come back to the real world.
There's an important election happening here.
Exactly. But, building from the bottom up is a lot like....hard work.
Exactly. So get to work and spread the word about Nader and the causes he supports. We need more dedicated people. Voting for Obama is easy. You don't have to do any work, the corporations do it all. You just sit back and malign those of us who have been struggling to build another party, another national paradigm, for decades. We have participated in the "Occupation Project," where only a handful of people showed up. We have gotten third parties on the ballot, we have worked to get Nader on the ballot, we run independents for office who never win because the Democrats use their vast amounts of money to stop us. Mostly the American people want to go along with whomever is in power, doesn't matter how many betrayals, doesn't matter how many deaths in the Middle East. Just go along, forever. It's so much easier.
And if you think you're going to control the Democrats from the bottom up, dream on.
You might as well say you're going to get a job shelving at Walmart and work your way to the top. They have the means to keep you out. You'll be kicked off the first rung of the ladder unless you prove to your corporate masters that you are malleable to their purposes - as Obama has. He has been thoroughly vetted, you can bet on it.