Ralph Nader’s legacy of accomplishments on behalf of American consumers has been somewhat diminished in recent years by his perceived role as a “spoiler” in our presidential elections. But as this 1988 Sesame Street clip shows, Nader was always a bit of a spoiler:
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Tagged as:consumer advocacy • presidential elections • Ralph Nader • Sesame Street • spoiler
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19 posts in the last 24 hours
Excuse me? Why is Ralph a “spoiler” in this episode of Sesame Street? I think this is an awesome clip. Sesame Street is so cool.
Jason TschantreHe’s only a spoiler in the sense that he ruined the hand-knit sweater…I was kinda joking. I give the guy credit for looking out for us hapless consumers.
Kerry TruemanGravel Kucinich Paul Nader;
dare speak truth,
demand peace.
Honesty compassion intelligence guts -
gravel kucinich paul naderHaving just heard Ralph speak in California, one of the valid issues that he makes is that the two party system in the US tends to homogenize the two candidates. This is what he means, I think, drawing similarities between Bush and Gore. They both have to kiss the same intrenched interests if they are going to be the two “serious” candidates. For example, both Obama and McCain talk agreeably about “clean coal” and “more nukes”. The word “conservation” is hardly ever heard, because, to be elected, it is voodoo to suggest that Americans would actually have to sacrifice in the land of consumerism. On the health care issue, neither candidate can say that the insurance industry, taking more than 25% of every healthcare dollar for their own overhead and profits - is an unsustainable burden if we really want affordable universal health care. The insurance industry is so powerful and lobbies so hard. . . ask Hillary! The “support Israel” posturing is also a requirement for any (two party) President hopeful. Ralph makes the point that opening the debates to a valid third party candidate would expose this conspiracy of silence on issues of substance, and force the candidates to speak where their pollsters tell them to not tread at their peril . . . which is exactly why it will not happen! Ralph’s organization claims that in the last election, the votes he took alone were not enough to change the outcome of the election. Can we check this fact? Ralph advocates reform of the Electoral College system, and, well, I guess this is the way his consumer-advocacy ideas have evolved. . . . everyone here is a consumer of the political system. . . and it is really ready for a recall because it is truly defective!!!!! There goes Ralph, Ripppppp that sleeve!
Bruce Trueman