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Genetically Modified Democracy

Nader begins: "How does the Big Business-indentured Republican Party get away with expectations of a runaway election victory this November? If such a victory should occur in Congress and for many governorships and state legislatures, it will be due to a ten percent or so shift in voters who voted Democratic in 2008 and are expected to vote Republican this year or stay home in despair or disgust."

File photo, then-presidential candidate Ralph Nader, 08/18/08. (photo: Kennedy School)

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+20 # Guest 2010-09-25 21:31

With respect to 'estate taxes':
How is it that George Steinbrenner's massive estate (he was an owner of the NY Yankees, and a ship building empire) will not face ANY estate taxes? Talk about perpetuating an entitlement!!!

And, the claim that 'estate taxes lead to the loss of family farms' is entirely untrue. NOT EVEN ONE family farms has EVER been lost due to estate taxes!

+33 # Guest 2010-09-25 21:49

This should be required reading for every citizen contemplating a decision to vote or not vote in November. Further, this should be required reading for all Tea Party members. Of course I can't image how people could be "required" to read anything at all but Nader's words are succinct and compelling and he doesn't read like some kind of firebrand. Rather, his comments are straightforward , simple and relatively inarguable. Even if one wanted to argue the points, his points are rational and worthy of regard.

In simple reasoning, is there an intelligent, rational argument favorable to what the Republicans have done to this country since Reagan? Can anyone cite in history where contemporary Republican ideas have actually worked? I can't think of any examples and am curious to know if there really are any.

+19 # Guest 2010-09-25 21:50

Ralph Nader is a charter member of the Cassandra Club. If there are still historians in a hundred years, they will be shaking their heads over the invincible ignorance of a population that resolutely ignored his self-evident prognostication s.

+1 # www.democratz.org 2010-09-25 22:18

Mr. Nader please to DEMOCRATZ dot ORG and you will find how progressives can destroy the political power of conservatives in both parties.

I like you Mr. Nader but you haven't offered any solution to this problem of conservatives ruining America. I just have, namely a way that progressives can gang up peacefully on the companies that sell products and also give money to conservatives and pressure those companies for the legislation we want and need.

+18 # Guest 2010-09-25 22:22

Thank you, Mr. Nader, for putting a spotlight on the charms of the Republican Party in such a thorough manner.

+24 # Guest 2010-09-25 22:50

Everything you say I know is true. The problem is that so many voters don't know the facts and unfortunately where I live, don't want to know.
Laura Glusha

+7 # Guest 2010-09-26 06:43

Quoting Laura Glusha:

Everything you say I know is true. The problem is that so many voters don't know the facts and unfortunately where I live, don't want to know.

Living in Franklin County, PA, I know just how you feel. Our local newspaper runs Charles Krauthammer on Saturday, Ann Coulter on Sunday, and at least one column a week each by Michael Reagan and Tom Purcell. The next closest paper (from the Maryland county just south of us) runs Krauthammer on Sunday, Jay Ambrose and Kathleen Parker at least once a week, and David Limbaugh at least twice. David Limbaugh, for the late God's sake, the Joe Estevez of punditry!

+25 # Guest 2010-09-26 01:01

Ralph Nader is a national hero. He sees the truth, organizes the most salient facts and articulates them beautifully.

Always fresh air to hear him or read what he has written.

Many, many thanks to Nader for all he has done for the US, which on the whole, alas, wants to remain deluded.

+12 # Guest 2010-09-26 04:32

Very well written. The 10% voters will be the Radical right Christians, and those duped into believing the Teabaggers bull crap.

+15 # Guest 2010-09-26 04:41

Republicans depend on ignorance to get elected, and so we must work to educate those voters who refuse to educate themselves. I am an Independent who votes for the candidate who cares most about the common good. This has always been a Democrat, Republicans are much more concerned about their own selfish agendas. My daughter and I will be handing out factsheets, around our town, to contrast the policies of the two parties, so that the voters can make a clear choice. Doing this as an Independent gives me more credibility, people see that I am not taking either side. I urge all who read this to work locally to get the facts to the people. We must not give in to despair. "Now is the time for all good (people) to come to the aid of their country."

+4 # Alex 2010-09-27 09:10

Could you please provide examples of your factsheets and some sources that you've used to put them together. Some friends and I would be interested in doing the same thing in our area.

+3 # genierae 2010-09-27 11:18

What I plan to do is to research the ideology of both parties online, to get their basic beliefs, (Republican National Committee), (Democratic National Committee) and also contrast their current actions in congress to see what legislation is favored by each party, and whether their actions match their words. I also have been collecting articles such as this one by Nader, who is well respected by most people for his facts. Also articles at MichalMoore.com . I will take excerpts from them, and of course check them out for their accuracy. Politifact.com is very helpful in that respect, as is FactCheck.org. I won't be handing these out until the end of October, so I am still pulling things together. Its great that you are interested in doing this too, I hope that it spreads across the country! I can't afford to travel to D.C., but I can work just as effectively in my own town. Best of luck to you!

-14 # Guest 2010-09-26 05:12

Great advice from the guy whose stubborn ego trip helped put Bush in office.

-6 # Guest 2010-09-26 06:51

ralph precipitated this mess by taking enough votes away from gore in 2000 to give the victory to bush.

not exactly a brilliant political strategist.

+13 # Guest 2010-09-26 09:51

Easy to blame Nader for electing Bush as president. Don't you think that a bunch of politically illiterates have helped a bit? We have the politicians we deserve...

0 # DennisNYC 2010-09-29 06:26

Well, yeah... but among those political illiterates are those who voted for Ralph. I think Mr. Nader is a great patriot and I respect him tremendously, but it was his ego that helped get Bush elected. There was no chance in hell that he had even a sliver of a chance of winning, yet people wasted... yes I said wasted... their votes on him.

+1 # Guest 2010-09-26 10:38

Dave, As multiple studies have shown, the number of disenfranchised voters, not to mention outright voter count fraud did in Gore in 2000. And five dudes dressed black that are "alleged" to be impartial sealed the deal. But I agree with your basic point and have been in horrific arguments with fellow progressives ever since 2000. Nader sure as hell didn't help Gore and the damage done by Bush and Co. may be beyond fixing. As smart and savvy as Nader is he is NOT going to be elected President. If he were to put his substantial intellect behind some Democrat/Progre ssive candidates who actually HAVE a chance to win we would be better off. Fredboy above you is right. Nader is on a ego trip and it will continually lead him, and us, back to the GOP terminal.

+13 # Guest 2010-09-26 15:16

Actually Gore won, It's just that more members of SCOTUS voted for Bush than Gore. Also Dubya's brother was Governor of Florida and let Right wing political hacks tip the scales.

+8 # N8VNYR 2010-09-27 15:54

Actually - the right-wing Supreme Court gave the victory to Bush after Bush and his cronies hijacked the election in FL.

+1 # Hors-D-whores 2010-10-01 00:35

Mr. Nader ran because he cared a about the country and I thank him. But which part do you not remember that it was the Florida court, whose Governor was the president to be brother, and that the election was stolen, in what really was a coup d'etat?

This was an excellent article, and Mr Nader is a true caring, intelligent patriot. What I blame Nader for is that he did not continue to build the Green Party so it could be a real force. He pretty much disappeared for a while.

-9 # Guest 2010-09-26 07:26

For a "thinking" man, Nadar succeeded in splitting the Democratic Party back in 2000 even though he knew he would lose his credibility, thus putting GW Bush for a four years term in office.

That was his revenge for the Democratic Party shunning him.

Before than he was a much respected individual, now he can only offer worthless "opinions."

Like most ex-republican officials and the present day GOP and republican party, he offers nothing in return.

+18 # Guest 2010-09-26 08:19

The Republicans are doing to America, all in the name of that nearly religious word, "CONSERVATISM," what they did to New York's one-time center of political gravity, "Tammany Hall." The Republican Party is America's "fascist" party.

Like Benito Mussolini, the Republican leadership hopes no one goes online, or looks up the word "fascist," and discovers that it means "corporate-owne d government." The behind-the-scen es operation of government, with YOUR tax dollars and mine, but FOR THEIR financial benefit.

+3 # Guest 2010-09-26 15:19

Don't Insult Tammney Hall by comparing it to the Modern Republican party. Tammney Hall, corrupt as it was, got thing done (like the Brooklyn Bridge) and did a lot more for the majority of their voters than the Republicans have since the conservative revolution.

-2 # Guest 2010-09-26 09:31

Perhaps the best thing to do is to vote Republican so the whole fetid system will come crashing down sooner. Then we can start anew.

-6 # Guest 2010-09-26 09:55

Agree with Ron Truth
Who cares what the jerk has to say. Because of him we had eight years of George Bush, a war in Iraq and practically a depression. Hand it up Nader.

+10 # Guest 2010-09-26 10:13

It is always great to read what is on Ralph Naders's mind.....one could also add to his list of Republican comments about them......what have the Republican's ever really accomplished in our nations history? Lincoln and the civil war.....Teddy Roosevelt....th ese are huge exceptions..... neither one of them would recognize....th e modern Republican party.....that has done very little in modern history.....

+6 # aybayb 2010-09-27 12:23

"Who cares what the jerk has to say. Because of him we had eight years of George Bush, a war in Iraq and practically a depression. Hand it up Nader."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Gore lost because he was either too afraid or too stupid to speak out on the serious issues that Nader stood up for--issues more important than the narrowly defined discourse which "both" major parties tacitly agree to campaign on. Ralph Nader is a heroic figure....in spite of what the DNC hacks said and did in order to get him off the ballot and out of the "debates", lest he challenge the electoral process and let the Public see that there IS an alternative to the corporatism of the "two" major parties.

We HAVE to find a way out of the "Lesser Evilism" that the Democratic Party has relied on for years. When you have "two" political parties feeding out of the same trough, you shouldn't be surprised at how UNedifying their campaigns are...and why only 50% of us bother to vote.

+1 # DennisNYC 2010-09-29 07:01

During the civil rights years of the 50s and 60s, it was primarily the Dems (plus moderate Republican, Ike) who pushed for civil rights legislation. Because of that, the Dixie-crats (the racist Dems) of the South switched parties and became Republicans.

During the 60s, even with JFK and LBJ leading the civil rights agenda, the congress couldn't get the job entirely done. In the end, it was left to the courts to end most of the remaining inequities.

From that time on, with the huge infusion of the Dixie-crats, the GOP has pulled further and further to the right and the Democratic party became freer to pull further to the left.

+7 # Guest 2010-09-26 10:54

(Republican Party)"it has misused the filibuster threat,"

How? Was it with the consent of Democrats?
Did the rules change?
Were the Democrats a party to the changes?
Are the Democrats facilitating the Republicans positions?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"any one of its Senators misuse the rules and block even going to a floor discussion or a nomination vote."

What are the rules?
Were the Democrats involved in writing these rules?
Who allows the Republicans to misuse the rules?
Is there that says you can't misuse the rules?
Is there a Democrats proposal to punish those who misuse the rules?
I thought not.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
acomfort

+7 # Guest 2010-09-26 12:07

Democrats NEED to STAND up and bite the bullet, regardless of what happens on Election Day. To lay down for the regressives rather than FIGHT them Tooth and Nail is INSANE. WHERE is the CHANGE we voted for and yearn for? WHEN will our President stand up and FIGHT? We voted for you, Barak. Let's GET BUSY doing the needful and put the self-serving Republi-WON'Ts on notice that America doesn't go along with their brand of "patriotism", ALL for the Rich, CRUMBS for John Q. Public, anymore!

-6 # Guest 2010-09-26 14:20

I'm with Foxtrottango: as much as anything or anyone, Nader is responsible for eight years of Bush/Cheney/Rov e/Rummy, etc. Adequate reason for never again giving Nader or his "views" the time of day.

-8 # Guest 2010-09-26 15:50

I do not need t/b lectured by Ralph Nader. He is PARTLY responsible for the pieces of dreck Richard Cheney and George Bush Jr. being able to bankrupt the country and murder millions.

+10 # John Majeski 2010-09-26 19:57

It is so tiresome to blame Ralph Nader for the Democratic loss in 2000, when all the evidence proves beyond a doubt that Gore won Florida. The Supreme Court handed this coup to George Bush and Dick Cheney, not Ralph Nader.... and if anyone represents consistency of political thought over the last forty plus years, it is Mr. Nader. He has done more to champion the rights of consumers, the working class and the poor than virtually anyone in the political arena. And when he's right, who gives him credit?

0 # Hors-D-whores 2010-10-01 00:48

I agree with you on this, "pieces of dreck Richard Cheney and George Bush Jr. being able to bankrupt the country and murder millions." How many times have many of us said to ourselves, "if only." That whole administration belongs in orange suits in the prisons of their making in Guantanamo, instead Cheney has had half a dozen life saving heart surgeries on the taxpayers money.
See, if there was a God, they would have had their comeuppance.

0 # Hors-D-whores 2010-10-01 00:56

CLEARLY, we need to not be complacent this election either.
I'm worn out from having to work so hard every election since 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, they each have been so critical and now this one seems monumentally important, just when I thought we could coast for a little bit, but work we must.
Imagine McConnell as Senate Leader, UGH.

+12 # David Vito Gregoli 2010-09-26 18:30

the 2000 election was Gore's to lose and Bush's to steal. If I remember correctly Nadar got less votes in the contested Democrat Fla districts than Buchanan. Don't make Nadar the scapegoat. Gore should have been so far ahead that nothing Bush did could undo it. It was a crap campaign. Combined with a good portion of the country falling for a bad cowboy act, and we were screwed. But then again how many of those same idiots voted for Reagan? Could have Nadar stopped Bush? Maybe. But i voted for him because he was the only one talking sense. Would you take that away from me? Is that democracy either?

-8 # norm San Diego 2010-09-26 23:43

Nader did a lot of great things as a consumer advocate.
But he needs to stay the hell out of the national elections and let the voters on both sides decide for themselves.

+2 # Esther Moroze 2010-09-29 09:53

For the most part I like the article. I think it is clear that we have to vote democratic. However, It is not inspiring when you say the "The answer is in the clueless and spineless Democrats, busily dialing for the same corporate campaign dollars." The democrats are not of one stripe. There is a struggle going on and we are in a position where we have to help change the balance of forces in congress and in the democratic party.

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