"The idea that the Constitution should apply to corporations as it applies to humans had its dubious origins in 1886. The Supreme Court said it did "not wish to hear argument" on whether corporations were "persons" protected by the Fourteenth Amendment, a civil rights amendment designed to safeguard newly emancipated blacks from unfair government treatment. It simply decreed that corporations were persons.
Now that is judicial activism."
Ralph Nader
Saturday, April 9, 1988
-
SS: I have delayed posting this, because of the acrimony this topic generates. If you feel you have the luxury to keep your eyes closed, please just let this diary scroll away without comment. I don't want to cause dissention, but to find common ground.
-
I want to be a Democratic Party believer. I do. I want to fight the onslaught of ignorance, stupidity and diseased morality that has taken form in the latest bout of "conservatism." I'm with you. I write the emails I'm asked to, I make calls as requested. I am trying, but my heart isn't with the Democratic Party. I know too much.
Now, I cannot eulogize every decision made by Nader. I understand the anger and desire to blame, especially since most have only just awakened to the direness of the situation. But Nader was speaking about larger, causational problems. He was taking a longer view, speaking about the dangers of unrestrained capitalism and its consequences for government. If activists can't see further than 2-4 years, it is not surprising they don't understand someone talking in terms of generations. I don't think that is an excuse to destroy a fellow Progressive.
I hear on this site about a Reform movement in the Democratic Party. There have been many recent discussions about unity--Kos even had one yesterday called "Intensity." I assume these are not meant to be ironic, so in answer I am asking for clarification: are Naderites welcome in the Reform Democrats?
I really do need to know this, because I don't believe in the Democratic Party any more. I have been fighting the conservative traitors since the Reagan administration declared ketchup a vegetable, and I frankly don't believe in the Pelosii and Leibermensch. But I believe that Nader's issues were ones most Americans could agree upon.
-
The central issue is that in a two-party system, one party represents the Upper class and one represents the Workers. Those are the ancient divisions. It is a dangerous system, because the Upper Class Party eventually buys off the Worker's Party. This devolves into election fighting, and then Dictatorship. It happened to Rome, the first Republic. It is happening now.
Nader was warning us that the Democratic Party had turned traitor by poaching from the Upper Class Party's funding sources and becoming beholden to corporate interests. Nader was in the position to know, because his life was dedicated to corporate reform on the behalf of the People.
-
Thank you, Ralph Nader, for trying
An eye-opening moment (at least to me) was that the Democratic Party did not embrace the corporate governance issue and use the public passion it generated to secure victory: instead the Dems closed ranks with the Republicans against Nader. (With Gore's approval, whatever he has done since).
Nader's message started an upfusion of young passion and yes, I just made up a word. It was something vital and different, a nascent political movement on behalf of the worker class. Skillfully throttled.
The media simultaneously ignored Nader's words completely and spoke ABOUT him incessantly. The Nader meme emerged in stages. First it was "traitor," that old standby. This champion of the American people was expelled from the Presidential Debates even as a spectator. Nader's campaign successes (and there were many) were shunned by the media, setting the stage for the attacks on Dean, Kerry, Cindy Sheehan and all who oppose conservative doctrine as it attempts to become The State.
And they made you cheer for it.
For it was propaganda many Dem followers wanted to believe. It gave the comfortable answer: Of course it was not true that the People's hopes were pinned on traitors--it could only be that the greatest corporate crusader and consumer advocate of the 20th Century was a loon, out of his tree, egomaniacal. Or my favorite: naïve.
Now our nation is in a disastrous war fully supported (other than with words) by the Democratic leadership--and everyone is surprised. Thinking people, is it not strange that the Democratic leaders on the talk shows can't seem to get the issues quite right ... Odd they can't seem to attack effectively and don't (seem to) have rhetorical saavy?
Look at what the Democratic Party did to Nader - is it not curious there has been no similar unity against anyone else? The Democratic leadership can utterly destroy a people's champion and poison his memory for perpetuity, but not a Delay or a Dobson. Hmmm....
Many liberal-minded people have discovered politics in the past five years, and now they are throwing resources at the huge problem of BushCo and the "Christian" right. I propose this is exactly what the political Parties want you to do - exhaust yourselves working for the lesser of two evils playing the game they dictate.
But I have read this excellent site for the past two years, and nothing in its creed dictates that we must shun Nader's message. In fact, it only serves our enemies to do so. There is a lot to this story, and I personally feel that the progressive movement should make it right. It will take a number of diaries to finish this topic, but first ... why even discuss it?
-
Perhaps there is power in admitting the Truth. Reform Democrats want to say they are different--prove it. Have the Reform Democrats allow an official rapprochement with Nader.
Top 10 Reasons Why:
1 Morality The Democrats could reclaim the moral ground not just in argument, but in deed. The truth is eternal, and the issue truly is corporate influence (ie, money) in politics, which was Nader's theme. We can rectify the political assassination of a public hero. (The term is "reform" after all...)
2 Drawing a bright line with the old Democratic Party. A vital step for the Democrats no matter what happens. It was not lost on the public that the Democrat's trashed Nader, and a lot of people respected Nader on both sides of aisle. Showing respect for Nader's failed but undoubtedly brave effort would go a long way toward rebuilding the image of Democrats as standing up for the People.
3 Publicity. Nader has enormous name recognition and he has more credibility to many Americans than the Democratic Party itself. Why not pick up this sword?
4 To show the Progressive Cause is worthy of respect. Corporate politicians were able to smear Nader's Cause--and ours--as irrelevant and traitorous. We are damaged for letting that lie stand.
5 For Principle. To have principles you must stand up for them. Even if it hurts. Nader can claim principle. Most of our politicians in Washington cannot.
6 Honor Those who honor their heroes gain honor themselves. Nader is a hero to many. He is a Progressive. We should honor his work and life.
7 Passion. It turns out desperation is not the same as inspiration. Right now hundreds of former Nader supporters quietly work for the Democratic Party, but they are working through an organ they disagree with and hardly believe in. Nader was electrifying crowds of young and old, and his stock in trade was passion. The passion is ready, only thwarted. Tap in.
8 Give the disenchanted a place to go. Maybe not here, but amidst the great unwashed there is great respect for Nader. In the coming Political Displeasure, the masses of the American Middle Class will be bolting for cover. They trust very little, but they will trust this man who gave his life to serve their interests.
9 To avoid a schism. As is visible in recent diaries, many of us are questioning whether the Democratic Party is worth supporting. The seeds of division are sown and growing. Nader represented the actual truth, so unless the Democrats align with that truth there will be future splits and dissention, even if the Dems retake majority power.
10 It's the right thing to do.