Nader at Any Speed
Though I've mostly always voted Democratic, and I'm working for the election of a Republican to the U.S. Senate, I'm pretty well decided that I will vote for Ralph Nader for president. The condition is if Gore is locked in a tight race with Bush for California's electoral votes, I will vote for Gore. But if Gore remains well ahead, or things flip and Bush-Lite is so far out in front of The Wooden One that my vote won't prevent his victory, I’ll vote for Nader.
My vote for Nader will be a vote for, not against, as would my Gore vote. Nader is a man of integrity and always has been. He's always stood up for what is right, from his challenge of the auto industry to his campaign against the insurance companies. He has been an unfailing, unflagging consumer advocate. He has fought for fair wages. He has stood against foreign involvement. He has long been the stalwart against corruption of our democratic process by financial interests.
It's curious to see the contrast between Nader and the major parties. How dramatic is the difference. The majors are unabashedly about money. The Dems and Reps are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to get their message out, and behind the scenes, fight to keep Nader out of the public debates. Why, because he would wipe the floor with the sons of George and Al. He would tell the truth, and they wouldn't have any response. They’re not their own men, after all. They don't think for themselves; they don't have their own beliefs, none that they are willing to espouse.
The most obvious difference between Nader and the capital scions is over the recent skirmish about energy prices. Gore induced Slick Willie to suck down the national petroleum reserves as part of a plan to push OPEC to be more forth-gushing. Bush "cried foul" according to the headlines. He was upset because (1) he felt that Gore-Clinton tapped the national reserves for political reasons, and (2) because he's an oil man, and the release was gonna cost him and his friends money.
Nader, on the other hand, says we've got to shift to solar power. How simple. How true. And he alone is saying it. The fact are these: petroleum supplies are limited, and burning oil causes pollution. Nader stands against the powers that be, accusing the petroleum industry and those politicians they own of sacrificing the economic stability of our children and breathable air for short-term financial gains. Can't argue with that. But doesn't anyone else find it outrageous that the Dem-Rep pretenders won't even discuss alternative energy; especially Gore, who claims to be an environmentalist. Judging from what he's done in Texas, it's hard to fault Bush, since he obviously views nature as something only to be exploited.
It's unfortunate that Ralph Nader is given such limited coverage by the purported news media. Their obligation is to report the facts, to give voice to new ideas. Instead, the ignore Nader for the most part, and treat him patronizingly on those rare occasions they mention him at all. And it's too bad, because Ralph Nader better represents the future of America as we all want it to be, than do the men who have the top nods.
And that's SetonnoteS...I'm Tony Seton.